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ITTARK 

OF  THE 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 

PUBLICATION  142. 
ZOOLOGICAL  SERIES.  VOL.  VII,  No.  9. 


A  SYNOPTIC   LIST  OF  THE   FISHES 

KNOWN   TO  OCCUR    WITHIN 

FIFTY  MILES  OF  CHICAGO. 


BY 

S.  E.  MEEK  AND  S.  F.  HILDEBRAND. 


CHARLES  B.  CORY, 
Curator  of  Department. 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

April,  1910. 


\ 


o,  5" 


V  T. 


A   SYNOPTIC   LIST  OF  THE   FISHES   KNOWN   TO 
OCCUR   WITHIN   50   MILES   OF   CHICAGO. 


BY  S.   E.   MEEK  AND  S.   F.   HILDEBRAND. 


Owing  to  the  many  changes  being  made  in  this  region  on  account 
of  the  growth  of  the  city,  the  local  fish  fauna  and  its  consequent 
changes  are  interesting.  The  present  paper  is  intended  to  afford 
students  of  the  local  fish-fauna,  in  and  about  Chicago,  a  ready  means 
for  the  identification  of  fishes  which  they  may  collect,  and  thus  assist 
in  the  study  of  their  distribution,  breeding  and  feeding  habits,  etc.  A 
considerable  amount  of  study  along  these  lines  is  necessary  before  one 
is  able  to  prepare  a  complete  account  of  the  fishes  of  this  region. 

In  the  following  pages  is  given  a  list,  together  with  keys  and  brief 
descriptions,  of  the  fishes  which  inhabit  the  lakes,  streams,  and  la- 
goons in  and  near  Chicago.  The  general  range  of  each  species  is 
given,  and  a  list  of  localities  where  each  has  been  taken  in  the  area  in 
question.  Many  of  the  descriptions  have  been  drawn  directly  from 
specimens  taken  within  the  area  under  discussion,  and  all  have  been 
verified  by  the  junior  author  with  local  material,  so  far  as  available. 
In  the  preparation  of  this  paper  free  use  has  been  made  of  previous 
publications  by  various  authors.  Considerable  assistance  has  been 
received  from  Dr.  Shelford,  Dr.  Riddle,  and  their  students  from  the 
University  of  Chicago,  also  from  Mr.  A.  P.  Ford  (formerly  of  Berwyn, 
Illinois),  chemist  for  the  Crane  Iron  Works,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

Most  of  the  illustrations  used  in  this  work  are  by  permission  of 
its  authors,  taken  from  "The  Fishes  of  Illinois,"  by  S.  A.  Forbes  and 
R.  E.  Richardson;  some  are  made  from  photographs  of  colored 
plates,  the  others  from  cuts  kindly  loaned  by  Dr.  Forbes.  A  few 
illustrations  are  taken  from  U.  S.  Government  publications. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  present  paper  may  stimulate  the  study  of 
our  local  fishes  and  so  be  the  forerunner  of  a  much  more  complete 
account  of  them. 

The  following  notes  and  the  accompanying  figure  are  given  to 
explain  the  terms  used  in  the  descriptions : 

i.  Head.  2.  Snout.  3.  Eye.  4.  Premaxillary.  5.  Maxillary. 
6.  Supplemental  maxillary.  7.  Mandible,  or  lower  jaw.  8.  Symphysis. 

223 


224     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO- — MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      225 

9.  Cheek.  10.  Preopercle.  n.  Opercle.  12.  Subopercle.  13.  Spin- 
ous  portion  of  dorsal  fin.  14.  Soft  portion  of  dorsal  fin.  15.  Base 
of  dorsal  fin.  16. Pectoral  fin.  17.  Anal  fin.  18.  Ventral  fin.  19. 
Base  of  caudal  fin(last  vertebra).  20.  Caudal  fin.  21.  Lateral  line. 
22.  Depth  of  the  fish.  23.  Depth  of  caudal  peduncle.  24.  Caudal 
peduncle. 

The  PROFILE  of  the  fish,  unless  otherwise  mentioned,  is  the  curve 
from  the  highest  point  on  the  back  to  the  tip  of  the  snout.  The  ORI- 
GIN of  the  DORSAL  or  ANAL  FIN  is  the  insertion  of  its  first  spine  or  ray. 

Fishes  in  general,  and  especially  those  treated  of  in  this  paper, 
breathe  by  means  of  GILLS,  which  are  fine,  hair-like  projections 
(BRANCHY),  usually  supported  on  the  outer  curves  by  cartilaginous 
or  bony  arches  known  as  GILL  ARCHES;  in  the  true  fishes,  the  normal 
number  on  each  side  is  four.  The  GILL  RAKERS  are  a  series  of  bony 
appendages  variously  formed  along  the  inner  edge  of  the  anterior 
gill  arch. 

The  GILL  MEMBRANES  usually  serve  to  attach  the  GILL  COVERS 
to  the  ISTHMUS,  which  is  the  thick,  fleshy  projection  between  the  gill 
openings.  The  BRANCHIOSTEGAL  MEMBRANES  are  attached  to  the 
lower  posterior  portions  of  the  gill  covers ;  the  cartilaginous  or  bony 
supports  of  this  membrane  are  the  BRANCHIOSTEGAL  RAYS. 

The  PHARYNGEAL  BONES  are  behind  the  gills  and  at  the  beginning 
of  the  CESOPHAGUS  ;  in  the  true  fishes,  they  represent  a  fifth  gill  arch. 

The  fins  of  fishes  are  composed  of  SPINES  and  RAYS,  the  former 
being  stiff,  bony  structures  usually  connected  by  a  thin  membrane; 
the  rays  are  rather  weak,  jointed,  cartilaginous  structures,  and  are 
also  connected  by  a  thin  membrane. 

A  CYCLOID  SCALE  has  its  posterior  margin  smooth;  such  scales 
are  usually  found  on  soft-rayed  fishes.  A  CTENOID  SCALE  has  its  pos- 
terior margin  rough  or  toothed;  such  scales  are  characteristic  of  the 
spiny-rayed  fishes. 

The  LENGTH  of  the  BODY  of  the  FISH  is  measured  from  the  tip  of  the 
upper  jaw  to  the  base  of  the  caudal  fin  or  end  of  the  last  vertebra;  the 
TOTAL  LENGTH,  from  the  extreme  ends  of  the  fish.  The  LENGTH  of 
the  HEAD  is  measured  from  tip  of  upper  jaw  to  the  posterior  edge  of 
the  opercle;  the  LENGTH  of  the  SNOUT,  from  tip  of  upper  jaw  to  an- 
terior margin  of  the  orbit.  The  DEPTH  of  the  BODY  is  measured  at  its 
deepest  part,  none  of  the  fins  being  included;  the  DEPTH  of  CAUDAL 
PEDUNCLE  is  measured  at  its  narrowest  part,  its  length  from  base  of 
last  anal  ray  to  end  of  last  vertebra. 

The  SCALES  in  the  LATERAL  SERIES  are  counted  from  upper  edge 


226     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

of  opercle  to  base  of  caudal  fin,  the  TRANSVERSE  SERIES  from  the 
dorsal  fin  to  ventrals  or  origin  of  anal,  whichever  is  nearest  the  middle 
of  the  body. .  In  making  the  transverse  count  the  scale  on  the  lateral 
line,  when  it  is  present,  is  counted  with  those  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
body.  The  LENGTH  of  the  DORSAL  and  ANAL  FINS  is  measured  along 
their  BASES;  the  HEIGHT  is  the  length  of  their  spines  or  rays.  The 
length  of  the  other  fins  is  measured  from  attachment  to  the  body  to 
the  tips  of  the  longest  rays. 

In  order  to  abbreviate,  the  following  expressions  are  used:  "HEAD 
4"  indicates  that  the  head  of  the  fish  is  contained  4  times  in  the  dis- 
tance from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  end  of  the  last  caudal  vertebra ; 
"DEPTH  4"  that  the  greatest  depth  (none  of  the  fins  being  included) 
is  contained  4  times  in  the  same  distance;  "D.  8"  indicates  that  the 
fish  has  a  single  dorsal  fin  which  is  composed  of  8  soft  rays;  "D.  iv, 
9,"  that  the  dorsal  fin  is  single  and  is  composed  of  4  spines  and  9  soft 
rays;  "  D.  iv-g,"  that  there  are  two  dorsal  fins,  the  first  one  composed 
of  4  spines  and  the  other  of  9  soft  rays.  Spines  are  always  indicated 
in  Roman  letters,  soft  rays  by  figures.  The  abbreviations  used  in 
the  count  of  other  fin  rays  and  spines  are  similarly  explained.  The 
diameter  of  the  eye,  the  length  of  the  snout,  and  many  other  short 
measurements  are  compared  with  the  length  of  the  head.  "  Eye  3 
in  head,"  "Snout  3  in  head,"  indicate  that  each  is  contained  3  times 
in  the  length  of  the  head.  In  these  particular  cases  "  %  of  the  length 
of  the  head"  would  mean  the  same  thing. 

When  the  last  caudal  vertebra  is  about  the  size  of  those  preceding 
and  it  ends  in  a  broad  plate  (HypuraT)  which  supports  the  caudal  fin, 
the  tail  is  called  HOMOCERCAL;  such  belong  to  most  of  the  true  fishes, 
as  the  catfishes,  suckers,  perch,  bass,  and  the  like.  When  the  ver- 
tebrae are  progressively  smaller,  remaining  in  the  axis  of  the  body, 
and  the  Hypural  is  obsolete  or  nearly  so,  the  tail  is  ISOCERCAL;  such 
a  tail  belongs  to  the  codfishes  and  their  relatives.  In  the  heterocercal 
tail  the  vertebrae  are  progressively  smaller,  and  are  turned  upward 
into  the  upper  part  of  the  tail.  This  form  of  tail  is  found  in  the  stur- 
geon, the  garpike,  and  the  dogfish. 

In  the  keys  and  descriptions  external  characters  are  used  so  far 
as  possible,  our  aim  being  to  make  identification  as  easy  and  accurate 
and  with  the  least  amount  of  mutilation  to  the  specimen  in  hand  as 
is  practicable. 

To  successfully  use  this  paper  the  student  is  advised  to  get  a  perch, 
bass,  or  sunfish  and  make  a  careful  study  of  its  external  anatomy, 
much  as  suggested  in  the  accompanying  figure,  and  its  description. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      227 

The  fishes  or  fish-like  vertebrates  of  Chicago  and  its  environs  belong 
to  two  classes:  The  Marsipobranchii,  —  the  lampreys,  the  hagfishes, 
and  the  like;  and  the  Pisces,  — the  sharks,  skates,  and  the  true  fishes. 
Of  the  former  but  two  species  occur  here;  of  the  latter  all  are  true 
fishes,  there  being  no  sharks  or  skates. 

The  fishes,  or  fish-like  vertebrates,  may  be  defined  briefly  as  cold- 
blooded animals  adapted  for  life  in  the  water,  breathing  by  means  of 
gills,  which  are  persistent  throughout  life,  and  having  the  limbs,  if 
present,  developed  as  fins,  never  with  fingers  and  toes. 

The  two  classes  here  mentioned  may  be  defined  briefly  as  follows : 

A.  Skull  imperfectly  developed,  without  true  jaws ;  gills  purse-shaped, 
not  attached  to  arches ;  a  single  median  nostril ;  body  eel-shaped. 

Marsipobranchii,  231 

AA.  Skull  well  developed,  and  with  true  jaws;  gills  attached  to  arches; 
nostrils  not  median,  in  one  or  more  pairs.  Pisces,  234 


KEY  TO  THE  FAMILIES  OF  FISHES 

a.  Gill  openings  7  on  each  side;  mouth  circular,  disc-like;  nostril 
single,  on  top  of  head;  no  paired  fins.          Petromyzonida,     231 

aa.  Gill  openings  one  on  each  side;  mouth  not  disc-like;  jaws  pre- 
sent ;  nostrils  in  pairs. 

b.  Ventral  fins,  when  present,  abdominal. 

c.  Tail  heterocercal, 

d.  Mouth  under  the  projecting  snout;  body  naked,  or  with  5  series 
of  bony  plates. 

e.  Snout  produced  into  a  long  oar-like  blade ;  opercle  produced  into 
a  long  triangular  flap;  mouth  large,  not  sucker-like. 

Polyodontida ,    234 

ee.   Snout  triangular,  not  produced  into  an  oar-like  blade ;  opercle 
without  triangular  flap;  mouth  small,  sucker-like. 

Acipenseridtz,     235 

dd.  Mouth   terminal,  jaws  about  equal;  body  covered  with  hard 
rhombic  (ganoid)  plates  or  scales. 

f.  Jaws  long,  beak-like;  no  gular  plate;  dorsal  rays  about  10 ;  body 
with  rhombic  plates.  Lepisosteidce ,     237 

ff.    Jaws  shorter,  not  beak-like;  a  gular  plate;  dorsal  rays  about 
50;   body  with  cycloid  scales.  Amiatida,     238 

cc.    Tail  homocercal  or  isocercal. 


228     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

g.  Pectoral  fins  each  with  a  strong  spine;  head  with  more  than 
4  barbels;  body  without  scales.  Silurida,  240 

gg.  Pectoral  fins  each  without  a  strong  spine ;  head  usually  without 
barbels,  but  when  present  never  more  than  4 ;  body  usually  with 
scales. 

h.  Ventral  fins  without  spines,  or  with  one  spine  and  one  soft  ray; 
anterior  dorsal  fin  if  composed  of  spines  only,  these  not  con- 
nected by  a  membrane. 

i.      Scales  if  present  cycloid,  their  free  edges  smooth. 

j.  Body  with  true  scales  or  linear  embedded  ones;  ventral  fins, 
when  present,  with  more  than  5  soft  rays;  no  disconnected 
dorsal  spines. 

k.     Head  without  scales. 

I.  No  dorsal  adipose  fin  present. 

m.    Ventral  surface  not  armed  with  bony  serrae;  lateral  line  present, 
n.     Teeth  not  present  in  jaws;  anal  fin  short  of  less  than  15  rays, 
o.     Dorsal  fin  with  more  than  10  rays;  mouth  usually  inferior  with 

thick  fleshy  lips,  with  plicae  or  papillae;    pharyngeal  teeth  in  a 

single  row,  more  than  10.  Catostomidce,     248 

oo.  Dorsal  fin  of  fewer  than  10  rays;  mouth  usually  terminal,  with 

thin  lips  without  plicae  or  papillae ;   pharyngeal  teeth  in  one  or 

two  rows,  fewer  than  9.  Cyprinidce,     257 

nn.  Teeth  present  in  jaws;  anal  fin  long,  of  more  than  20  rays, 
p.     Body  long  and  slender,  eel-shaped;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  long 

and  continuous  with  the  caudal ;  scales  minute,  linear. 

AngmllidcB ,     284 
pp.  Body  deep,  compressed,  not  eel-shaped;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  not 

continuous  with  the  caudal ;  scales  large.  Hiodontidce,     285 

mm.  Ventral  surface  armed  with  bony  serrae ;  lateral  line  wanting, 
q.     Dorsal  fin  with  its  last  ray  produced  into  a  long  filament;  jaws 

without  teeth ;  maxillary  not  in  3  pieces.          Dorosomidce,     287 
qq.  Dorsal  fin  with  its  last  ray  not  produced  into  a  long  filament; 

jaws  with  weak  teeth;  maxillary  in  3  pieces.       Clupeida,     288 

II.  Dorsal  adipose  fin  present.  Salmonidce,     289 
kk.  Head  more  or  less  covered  with  scales. 

r.     Jaws  long,  with  large  canine-like  teeth;    lateral   line   present. 

Esocida,     295 
rr.    Jaws  short,  without  canine-like  teeth;  lateral  line  wanting,  or 

nearly  so. 

s.      Upper  jaw  not  protractile.  Umbridce,     297 

ss.    Upper  jaw  protractile.  Paeciliid(z,     298 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      229 

jj.  Body  without  scales;  ventral  fins  each  of  one  spine  and  one 
soft  ray ;  dorsal  fin  with  2  or  more  spines  not  connected  by  a 
membrane.  Gasterosteidce,  302 

ii.  Scales  ctenoid  their  free  edges  rough;  dorsal  fins  2,  the  posterior 
adipose.  Percopsidce,  303 

hh.  Ventral  fins  composed  of  one  spine  and  5  soft  rays;  anterior 
dorsal  fin  of  4  to  10  spines  connected  by  a  membrane;  body 
scaly.  Aikerinidcz ,  304 

bb.  Ventral  fins  thoracic  or  jugular. 

t.  Ventral  rays  of  one  spine  and  6  or  7  soft  rays;  vent  before 
pectoral  fins.  Aphredoderida,  305 

tt.    Ventral  rays  not  more  than  one  spine  and  5  soft  rays. 

u.  Chin  without  a  barbel;  soft  dorsal  fin  of  less  than  40  rays;  ven- 
tral fins  below  or  behind  pectorals. 

v.     Body  covered  with  true  scales. 

w.  Lateral  line  not  extending  on  the  caudal  fin ;  soft  dorsal  of  less 
than  25  rays;  jaws  with  teeth. 

x.  Spinous  and  soft  dorsal  fins  united  into  one  fin,  the  spinous  por- 
tion lower  than  soft  portion ;  preopercle  usually  not  serrate. 

CentrarchidcB ,     306 

xx.  Dorsal  fins  separate  or  very  slightly  joined;    the  fins  of  about 

equal  height, 
y.  Anal  fin  with  i  or  2  spines.  Percida,     317 

yy.  Anal  fin  with  3  spines.  Serranidce,     332 

ww.  Lateral  line  extending  on  the  caudal  fin;  soft  dorsal  of  more 

than  25  rays;  jaws  without  teeth.  Sciaenida,     334 

vv.  Body  without  true  scales;  more  or  less  armed  with  prickles  or  a 
few  scale-like  plates ;  cheeks  with  a  bony  stay ;  ventral  rays  of 
one  spine  and  3  or  4  soft  rays.  Cottida,  335 

uu.  Chin  with  a  barbel;  soft  dorsal  fin  composed  of  more  than 
40  rays.  Gadida,  338 


Class  MARSIPOBRANCHII. 

THE  LAMPREYS  AND  HAGFISHES. 

Skeleton  cartilaginous;  skull  not  separate  from  the  imperfectly 
segmented  vertebral  column;  no  true  jaws;  no  limbs;  no  shoulder 
girdle;  no  pelvic  elements,  and  no  ribs;  gills  purse-shaped,  without 
gill  arches;  6  or  more  gill  openings  on  each  side;  nostril  single,  on  top 
of  the  head;  heart  without  arterial  bulb;  alimentary  canal  straight, 
simple,  without  coecal  appendages,  pancreas,  or  spleen;  naked,  eel 
shaped  animals. 


Order  Hyperoartil, 


Nasal  duct  a  blind  sac  not  communicating  with  the  palate ;  mouth 
nearly  circular,  suctorial ;  seven  gill  openings  on  each  side  of  the  neck. 


Family  i.  Petromyzonidse. 

THE  LAMPREYS. 

Body  eel-shaped,  somewhat  compressed  posteriorly;  mouth  nearly 
circular,  suctorial,  and  armed  with  horny,  tooth-like,  simple  or  multi- 
cuspid  tubercles ;  those  just  above  and  below  oral  opening,  and  those 
on  tongue  more  or  less  specialized ;  lips  or  margin  of  mouth  fringed. 
A.  Supraoral  cusps  2  or  3,  placed  close  together;  dorsal  fin  with 
a  broad  notch.  Ichthyomyzon,  231 

AA.  Supraoral  cusps  2,  each  at  end  of  a  crescent-shaped  plate;  oc- 
casionally a  rudimentary  median  cusp;  dorsal  fin  with  sharp 
notch.  Lampetra,  232 

Genus  Ichthyomyzon  Girard. 
RIVER  LAMPREYS. 

Supraoral  plate,  with  2  or  3  cusps  placed  near  each  other;  anterior 
lingual  tooth  with  a  median  groove.;  dorsal  fin  with  a  broad  shallow 
notch.  Small  lampreys  inhabiting  lakes  and  rivers  of  eastern  United 

States. 

231 


232     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Ichthyomyzon  concolor  (Kirtland).     SILVERY  LAMPREY. 

Head  6.5  to  8.3;  depth  9.8  to  13.8.  Body  elongate,  eel-shaped; 
mouth  a  suctorial  disc,  anterior  and  slightly  inferior  and  with  mar- 
ginal fringe;  supraoral  plate  usually  bicuspid,  occasionally  with  i, 
3  or  4  cusps;  infraoral  plate  with  7  to  9  cusps,  occasionally  with  10 
to  13 ;  anterior  lingual  tooth  with  a  median  groove;  diameter  of  eye 
6  to  8  in  head;  muscular  impressions  between  last  gill  opening  and 
vent  49  to  55-;  dorsal  fin  continuous  with  the  caudal. 

Color  silvery,  bluish  above,  sometimes  with  bluish  spots;  a  small 
dusky  spot  above  each  gill  opening. 

Length  about  10  inches. 

This  lamprey  occurs  in  the  Great  Lake  Region  and  the  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley;  it  is  parasitic  on  all  larger  fishes,  but  prefers  fishes 
without  scales,  as  the  catfishes,  or  the  soft-scaled,  as  the  suckers,  to 
the  hard-scaled  fishes,  like  the  basses  and  perch. 

It  ascends  small  brooks  in  the  spring  to  spawn,  after  which  it  is 
believed  to  die.  The  eggs  deposited  in  nests  on  the  bottom  of  the 
streams  soon  hatch,  and  the  small  worm-like  larva  burrows  in  the 
sand,  where  it  remains  from  3  to  5  years,  when  it  emerges  as  a  full 
grown  lamprey.  Often  found  in  the  pound  nets  set  at  south  end  of 
Lake  Michigan. 

Lake  Michigan,  Whiting,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Edgemoor, 
Indiana. 

Genus  Lampetra  Gray. 
BROOK  LAMPREYS. 

Supraoral  plate,  crescent-shaped,  with  a  cusp  at  end,  with  occa- 
sionally a  small  median  cusp;  anterial  lingual  tooth  with  median  en- 
larged denticli;  dorsal  fin  with  a  sharp  notch  or  entirely  divided. 
Small  lampreys  inhabiting  brooks  and  small  streams  of  Europe  and 
eastern  North  America. 

Lampetra  wilderi  (Gage).  BROOK  LAMPREY;  SMALL  BLACK  LAMPREY. 
Head  7.9  to  8.7;  depth  13  to  16.  Body  elongate,  eel-shaped; 
mouth  a  suctorial  disc,  anterior,  and  slightly  inferior,  and  with  mar- 
ginal fringe  of  closely  set  tubercles ;  supraoral  plate  with  cusp  at  each 
end,  separated  by  a  distance  nearly  twice  the  width  of  base  of  a  single 
cusp;  infraoral  plate  with  6  or  7  cusps,  the  extreme  ones  much  larger 
than  the  others ;  3  lateral  cusps  on  each  side  of  the  mouth  bicuspid,  the 
others  simple ;  diameter  of  eye  5  to  7  in  head ;  muscular  impressions 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      233 

between  the  last  gill  opening  and  vent  70  to  73 ;  dorsal  fin  divided  by 
a  deep  notch  or  a  narrow  space. 

Length  6  to  10  inches. 

This  lamprey  ranges  from  New  York  to  the  Great  Lakes  and  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley.  Its  habits  are  quite  similar  to  the  preceding.  It 
spawns  in  April.  The  time  after  this  species  emerges  from  its  larval 
stage  to  its  spawning  time  is  so  short  that  it  is  doubtful  if  it  is  ever 
parasitic  on  fishes ;  not  recorded  from  the  Chicago  area. 


Class  PISCES. 

Skeleton  more  or  less  ossified ;  skull  well  developed,  separate  from 
the  segmented  vertebral  column;  mouth  with  true  jaws;  limbs, 
shoulder,  and  pelvic  bones  usually  present;  usually  less  than  6  gill 
openings  on  each  side;  gills  attached  to  imperfect  skeletal  arches; 
nostrils  one  or  more  pairs ;  heart  with  arterial  bulb ;  alimentary  canal 
variable  in  form,  and  with  pancreas  and  spleen;  tail  heterocercal, 
homocercal,  or  isocercal. 


Order  Selachostomi. 

THE  PADDLE-FISHES. 

Skeleton  chiefly  cartilaginous,  the  vertebrae  imperfectly  formed, 
acentrous;  anterior  vertebrae  single;  ventral  fins  abdominal;  max- 
illary obsolete;  air  bladder  cellular,  with  open  duct  to  oesophagus; 
snout  long  and  paddle-shaped;  tail  heterocercal. 


Family   Pol yodont  i<hr. 

THE  PADDLE-FISHES. 

Body  elongate,  not  covered  with  scales  or  bony  plates;  ventral  fins 
abdominal ;  fins  without  spines ;  opercle  and  subopercle  small ; 
mouth  large,  its  border  formed  by  premaxillaries ;  maxillaries  obsolete ; 
snout  long,  paddle-shaped;  2  pairs  of  minute  barbels  on  snout,  just 
in  front  of  the  mouth;  jaws  and  palatines  in  young  with  numerous 
fine  deciduous  teeth;  intestine  with  spiral  valve;  pyloric  coeca  broad, 
leaf-like ;  arterial  bulb  with  several  pairs  of  valves. 


Genus  Polyodoii  Lacepede. 

Gill-rakers  numerous,  very  long  and  slender;  caudal  fulcra  of 
moderate  size,  13  to  20  in  number;  opercle  produced  into  a  long 
triangular  flap. 

234 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      235 

Polyodon  spathula  (Walbaum).     PADDLE-FISH;  SPOONBILL  CAT. 

Head  (from  tip  of  snout  to  end  of  opercular  flap)  1.5  to  1.7  ;  depth 
4  to  4.8  (without  snout);  A.  60.  Body  fusiform,  little  compressed; 
skin  smooth;  snout  broad,  its  greatest  width  3.4  to  4.3  in  its  length; 
opercle  with  long  flap;  its  tip  reaching  ventrals  (adults)  or  nearly 
to  front  of  dorsal  (young) ;  gill  rakers  long  and  slender,  in  a  double 
series  on  each  arch;  no  scales;  tip  of  caudal  peduncle  and  sides  of 
upper  caudal  lobe  with  small  elongate  rhombic  plates. 

Color  pale  to  dusky,  or  bluish  olive. 

Length  about  6  to  8  feet. 

This  fish  lives  in  the  larger  rivers  and  in  bayous.  It  is  not  native 
to  Lake  Michigan,  but  is  reported  to  have  been  taken  there. 


Order  Chondrostei, 

THE  STURGEONS. 

Skeleton  chiefly  cartilaginous;  vertebrae  simple  and  acentrous, 
the  notochord  persistent;  ventral  fins  abdominal;  opercular  series 
represented  by  an  opercle  and  interopercle;  maxillary  present;  air 
bladder  simple;  connected  by  a  duct  with  the  oesophagus. 


Family  Acipenseridse. 

THE  STURGEONS. 

Body  elongate,  armed  with  5  longitudinal  rows  of  bony  plates, 
head  covered  with  bony  plates ;  ventral  fins  abdominal ;  fins  without 
spines;  gills  4;  an  accessory  opercular  gill;  nostrils  double,  in  front 
of  eye;  optic  nerves  forming  a  chiasma;  mouth  inferior,  protractile, 
with  thickened  papillose  lips ;  4  barbels  in  front  of  mouth ;  stomach 
without  pyloric  cceca;  intestine  with  spiral  valve;  arterial  bulb  with 
several  pairs  of  valves. 


Genus  Acipenser  Linnaeus. 

Snout  conical;  caudal  peduncle  short,  roundish,  and  not  entirely 
covered  with  bony  plates ;  spiracles  and  pseudobranchs  present ;  gill- 
rakers  lance-shaped ;  air  bladder  well  developed,  not  cellular. 


236     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

LAKE  STURGEON 

Acipenser  rubicundus  Le  Sueur. 

Head  3.1  to  3.8;  depth  7  to  7.8;  D.  35  to  36;  A.  25  to  28.  Body 
elongate,  cylindrical;  snout  subconical,  convex  above,  flattened  be- 
low, overhanging  the  mouth,  2  to  2.4  in  head;  eye  small,  3.3  to  4.2  in 
head ;  lips  2-lobed ;  gill  membranes  united  to  the  isthmus ;  barbels  of 
nearly  equal  length;  dorsal  scutes  12  to  16;  lateral  32  to  43;  ventral 
8  to  10.  These  almost  entirely  disappear  in  specimens  of  150  pounds 
weight;  upper  caudal  lobe  the  longer,  not  produced  into  a  filament; 
caudal  fulcra  numerous. 

Color  dark  olive  above;  sides  paler  to  reddish;  body  often  with 
irregular  blackish  blotches.  Length  6  to  12  feet. 


FIG.  17.    LAKE  STURGEON. 

Acipenser  rubicundus  Le  Sueur.     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

This  sturgeon  inhabits  large  streams  and  lakes  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi Valley,  the  Great  Lakes  and  northward.  About  twenty-five 
years  ago  it  was  abundant  in  the  lakes  near  Chicago.  There  was 
no  market  for  it  then  and  many  were  buried  in  the  sand  to  get  rid  of 
them.  At  present  it  is  quite  rare  and  sells  in  the  market  for  double 
the  price  of  the  best  fish  found  in  Lake  Michigan.  The  sturgeon 
spawns  in  the  spring. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana; 
Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Edgemoor,  Indiana. 


Order  Rhomboganoidea. 

THE  GARPIKES. 

Skeleton  ossified;  vertebrae  connected  by  ball  and  socket  joints, 
the  cavity  of  each  vertebra  being  posterior ;  ventral  fins  abdominal ; 
fins  without  spines;  opercular  skeleton  complete;  maxillary  present; 
air  bladder  cellular,  lung-like,  opening  into  the  side  of  the  oesophagus. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       237 


Family  Lepisosteidae. 

Body  elongate,  subcylindrical,  covered  with  hard  rhombic  ganoid 
scales  or  plates,  imbricated,  in  oblique  series  running  downward  and 
backward;  premaxillary  forming  most  of  the  upper  jaw;  jaws  long, 
beak-like;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines,  some  of  the  teeth  in 
the  jaws  large  and  canine-like;  tail  heterocercal ;  an  accessory  gill  on 
under  side  of  opercle;  spiral  valve  of  intestine  rudimentary. 


Genus  L/episosteus  Lacepede. 
GAR  PIKES. 

Jaws  with  one  or  more  series  of  teeth,  some  being  enlarged  and  fit- 
ting into  a  depression  in  the  opposite  jaw;  usually  some  of  the  anterior 
teeth  movable ;  teeth  on  vomer  and  palatines ;  in  the  young  the  an- 
terior teeth  are  usually  enlarged. 

a.     Jaws  long  and  slender;  snout  more  than  twice  the  length  of  the 

head.  osseus,     237 

aa.  Jaws   shorter   and   broader,  little  longer  than  the  rest  of  the 

head.  platostomus,     238 

Lepisosteus  osseus   (Linnaeus).     LONG-NOSED  GAR;  BILLFISH. 

Head  2.7  to  3.1;  depth  10  to  13;  D.  8  or  9;  A.  8  or  9;  scales  60 
to  63.  Body  elongate,  cylindrical;  jaws  long,  slender,  beak-like; 
more  than  twice  the  length  of  the  rest  of  the  head ;  greatest  width  of 
snout  6,  least  width  20  in  its  length;  young  with  upper  lobe  of  caudal 
prolonged  into  a  filament. 

Color  pale  olive,  silvery  below;  vertical  fins  and  posterior  part  of 
the  body  with  round  black  spots,  more  distinct  in  the  young;  very 
young  with  a  black  lateral  band. 

Length  from  3  to  5  feet. 

It  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  lakes,  ranging  from  the  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley,  and  the  Great  Lakes  to  Florida  and  the  Rio  Grande 
in  Mexico.  It  is  active,  feeding  on  minnows  and  the  young  of  other 
fishes.  It  spawns  in  the  spring,  usually  in  May  or  June.  In  this  area 
it  has  been  taken  in  Lake  Michigan  and  in  the  Des  Plaines  and  Fox 
rivers. 

Not  used  for  food  except  in  the  southern  part  of  its  range. 

Fox  Lake,  Illinois;  Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan, 
Millers,  Indiana. 


238     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Lepisosteus  platostomus  Rafinesque.     SHORT-NOSED  GAR. 

Head  3  to  3. 9;  depth  8  to  10;  D.  8;  A.  8;  scales  60  to  64.  Similar 
to  the  preceding  but  with  a  much  shorter  and  broader  beak ;  greatest 
width  of  beak  2.3,  its  least  width  5.5  in  its  length. 

Color  dark  olive  green  above ;  belly  white ;  dorsal  caudal  and  anal 
each  with  roundish  dark  spots;  young  with  a  broad  black  lateral  band. 

Length  2  to  3  feet. 

Common  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  being  more  abundant  in  the 
southern  part  of  its  range.  In  appearance  and  habits  it  resembles 
the  former  species  in  this  area. 


Order  Cycloganoidea, 


Skeleton  bony;  vertebrae  biconcave,  the  anterior  ones  not  modi- 
fied; ventral  fins  abdominal;  opercle,  preopercle,  interopercle,  and 
subopercle  present;  maxillary  present;  air  bladder  bifid  anteriorly, 
cellular,  lung-like;  tail  heterocercal. 


Family  Amiatidee. 

Body  elongate,  subcylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly, 
covered  with  hard  cycloid  scales;  head  with  external  bones  very 
hard  and  scarcely  covered  by  skin;  jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  and  ptery- 
goids  with  teeth ;  fins  without  spines  or  fulcra ;  air  bladder  connected 
by  a  glottis  with  the  pharynx,  and  able  to  assist  in  respiration ;  a  bony 
gular  plate  between  the  branches  of  the  lower  jaw;  stomach  a  blind 
sac,  without  pyloric  coeca;  intestine  with  a  rudimentary  spiral  valve. 

Genus  Amiatus  Linnaeus. 
DOG  FISH;   BOWFIN.     "  JOHN  A.  GRINDLE." 
Dorsal  fin  long;  its  base  twice  the  length  of  the  head. 

Amiatus  calva  Linnaeus.     DOG  FISH;  BOWFIN;  GRINDLE. 

Head  3.5  to  4.3 ;  depth  4.6  to  6.2;  0.47  to  51;  A.  9  to  10;  scales 
66  to  68.  Body  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  subconic, 
depressed;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  to  vertical  behind  eye; 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      239 

eye  small,  its  diameter  8.8  to  10.3  in  head.     A  pair  of  short  nasal  bar- 
bels, cupped  at  the  tips;  caudal  fin  rounded;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  dark  olive  above;  lighter  on  sides  and  ventral  region;  the 
mingling  of  the  darker  and  lighter  forming  reticulations  on  the  sides ; 
dorsal  fin  with  dark  band  near  base  and  one  near  tip;  sometimes 
broken  into  short  bars;  caudal  fin  with  dark  bars;  pectoral,  ventral, 


FIG.  18.    DOG  FISH:  BOWFIN;  "JOHN  A.  GRINDLE." 

Amiatus  calva  Linnaeus.     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

and  anal  fins  green  or  greenish ;  males  with  a  black  spot  with  yellowish 
border  at  base  of  upper  caudal  rays ;  males  smaller  than  the  females. 

Length  i%  to  2  feet. 

This  species  ranges  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  Florida  and  Texas. 
It  is  most  abundant  in  sluggish  waters  with  weedy  bottoms.  It  feeds 
on  fishes,  crayfishes,  mollusks,  and  is  to  some  extent  a  scavenger.  It 
is  a  game  fish  of  some  importance,  but  though  marketed  it  is  regarded 
as  an  inferior  food  fish.  It  spawns  in  stagnant  water  from  April  to 
July.  Common  in  all  sluggish  water  in  the  Chicago  area. 

Fox  Lake,  Illinois;  Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Calumet 
River,  Clark,  Indiana;  Deep  River,  Liverpool,  Indiana. 


Order  Nemafognathi, 

THE  WHISKERED  FISHES. 

Skeleton  bony,  the  4  anterior  vertebras  coosified;  ventral  fins 
abdominal ;  dorsal  and  pectoral  fins  each  with  anterior  rays  modified 
into  a  hard  spine;  subopercle  absent;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  premaxillary ;  maxillary  often  rudimentary  and  supporting  the 
base  of  a  barbel ;  air  bladder  with  duct ;  arterial  bulb  with  a  pair  of 
opposite  valves;  optic  nerves  do  not  form  a  solid  chiasma;  intestine 
without  spiral  valve. 


240     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


Family  Siluridre. 
THE  CATFISHES. 

Body  more  or  less  elongate;  no  true  scales;  2  dorsal  fins,  the  pos- 
terior being  adipose;  upper  and  lower  jaws  with  barbels,  resembling 
the  whiskers  on  a  cat  (whence  the  name  catfish) ;  dorsal  and  pectoral 
fins  each  with  a  strong  spine. 

a.  Adipose  fin  short,  with  the  posterior  margin  free  and  distinct 
from  the  caudal  fin. 

b.  Band   of  teeth   on  upper  jaw   (premaxillary)   without  lateral 
backward  extensions;  anal  rays  17  to  35. 

c.  Bony  bridge  from  snout  to  dorsal  fin  complete;  tail   deeply 
forked.  Ictalurus,     240 

cc.  Bony  bridge  from  snout  to  dorsal  fin  not  complete ;  tail  rounded, 
or  slightly  emarginate  to  moderately  forked  (in  the  Great  Lake 
species).  Ameiurus,  241 

bb.  Band  of  teeth  on  upper  jaw  with  a  lateral  backward  extension 
on  each  side;  anal  rays  12  to  15.  Leptops,  244 

aa.  Adipose  fin  adnate  to  the  back,  and  separated  from  caudal  fin 
.  by  a  notch. 

d.  Band  of  teeth  on  upper  jaw  with  lateral  backward  extensions. 

Noturus,     244 

dd.  Band  of  teeth  on  upper  jaw  without  lateral  backward  exten- 
sions. Schilbeodes,  245 

Genus  Ictalurus  Rafinesque. 

CHANNEL  CATS. 
Ictalurus  punctatus  (Rafinesque).     CHANNEL  CAT;  FIDDLER. 

Head  3. 6  to  4;  depth  2.4  to  5.0;  D.  1-6;  A.  24  to  29.  Body  long, 
slender,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  subconic;  interorbital  space 


FIG.  19-    CHANNEL  CAT;  FIDDLER. 

Ictalurus  punctatus  (Raf .) .     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      241 

flat  or  slightly  convex;  mouth  terminal,  the  upper  jaw  slightly  the 
longer;  maxillary  barbels  long  and  slender,  their  tips  reaching  past 
gill  opening;  eye  nearer  upper  than  lower  surface  of  the  head,  its  di- 
ameter 4  to  8  in  head;  dorsal  fin  high,  its  distance  from  snout  2.5  to 
2.7  in  length;  caudal  fin  deeply  forked,  the  upper  lobe  longer  and 
more  slender  than  the  lower. 

Color  light  grayish  green  above,  below  silvery;  back  and  sides  with 
small,  round,  irregularly  distributed  dark  spots. 

This  fish  reaches  a  weight  of  15  to  20  pounds,  but  those  usually 
taken  for  the  market  seldom  reach  a  weight  of  4  or  5  pounds. 

It  inhabits  clear  water  from  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  Louisiana 
and  Mexico,  preferring  river  channels  to  still  water.  An  excellent  food 
and  a  fair  game  fish. 

Deep  River,  Liverpool,  Indiana. 


Genus  Ameiurus  Rafinesque. 
BULLHEADS;  HORNED  POUTS. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  robust  anteriorly,  compressed  posteri- 
orly; supraoccipital  bone  separate  from  the  second  interspinal  buck- 
ler, forming  a  break  in  bony  bridge  from  snout  to  dorsal  fin ;  mouth 
large;  teeth  in  jaws  in  broad  bands,  the  band  in  upper  jaw  not  form- 
ing backward  extensions;  caudal  fin  short,  its  margin  rounded  to 
slightly  forked. 

a.  Caudal  fin  moderately  forked;  anal  rays  24;  species  large. 

lacustris,     242 

aa.  Caudal  fin  rounded,  truncate,  or  slightly  emarginate;  species 
small,  usually  less  than  12  inches  in  length. 

b.  Anal  rays  24  to  27;  caudal  fin  rounded.  natalis,     242 
bb.  Anal  rays  17  to  24;  caudal  fin  slightly  emarginate. 

c.  Anal  rays  21  to  24;  pectoral  spine  in  young  with  5  to  10  well 
developed  teeth  on  its  posterior  edge,  these  reduced  in  size  in 
adults,  the  number  increasing  to  from  15  to  20;  anal  fin  with 
membrane  and  rays  about  equally  colored,  the  former  slightly 
the  darker  on  distal  third.  nebulosus,     242 

cc.  Anal  rays  17  to  20;  pectoral  spine  at  all  ages  entire  or  slightly 
roughened  behind,  or  rarely  in  adults  with  5  to  10  obscure, 
weak,  and  blunt  teeth  on  its  posterior  edge;  anal  fin  with  the 
membranes  uniformly  colored  and  darker  than  the  rays. 

melas,     243 


. 
242     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Ameiurus  lacustris  (Walbaum).     GREAT  LAKE  CATFISH. 

Head  3. 8;  depth  4.5;  D.  1-6;  A.  24.  Body  robust;  head  broad, 
depressed,  its  width  1.2  in  its  length;  interorbital  space  flat,  1.8  in 
head;  diameter  of  eye  8.3  in  head;  upper  jaw  the  longer;  dorsal  fin 
to  snout  2.7  in  body,  its  spine  short,  bluntly  pointed,  its  posterior  edge 
entire;  pectoral  spine  weakly  serrate  behind;  caudal  fin  moderately 
forked. 

Color  dark  slaty  to  bluish  black  above,  paler  below;  body  without 
dusky  spots ;  anal  dusky  edged. 

It  reaches  a  weight  of  40  pounds. 

This  species  inhabits  the  Great  Lake  Region. 

This  fish  is  frequently  taken  in  Deep  River  at  Liverpool,  Indiana 
and  is  occasionally  taken  on  set  lines  and  in  pound  nets  at  Millers 
and  Pine,  Indiana;  individuals  are  sometimes  caught  in  the  park 
lagoons  within  the  city  when  taking  the  carp  from  these  waters. 

Ameiurus  natalis  (LeSueur).     YELLOW  BULLHEAD. 

Head  3.1  to  3.5;  depth  3.5  to  3.9;  D.  1-6;  A.  24  to  27.  Body 
very  robust;  head  large,  broad,  somewhat  depressed;  its  -greatest 
width  about  equal  to  its  length;  eye  small,  its  diameter  7.2  to  8.5  in 
head;  upper  jaw  slightly  longer  than  the  lower;  maxillary  barbels 
reaching  about  to  posterior  edge  of  opercles;  dorsal  fin  small,  low;  ' 
caudal  fin  rounded  posteriorly. 

Color  yellow, brown,  green,  or  black  above;  yellowish  to  pale  below. 

Length  12  to  18  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Dakota  to  New  York,  Florida,  and  Texas. 

Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana;    Lagoon,  Clark  Junction,  Indiana. 

Ameiurus  nebulosus  (Le  Sueur).     COMMON  BULLHEAD;    SPECKLED 

BULLHEAD;     HORNED  POUT. 

Head  3.2  to  3.6;  depth  3.5  to  4.3 ;  D.  1-6;  A.  21  to  24. 

Body  elongate  to  moderately  robust;  head  subconic,  rather  nar- 
row, its  greatest  width  1.2  to*  1.3  in  its  length;  upper  jaw  slightly 
longer  than  the  lower;  maxillary  barbel  reaching  beyond  gill  opening, 
often  beyond  humeral  process;  pectoral  spine  1.8  to  2.4  in  head,  the 
posterior  edge  with  6  to  10  (young)  to  10  to  25  (adults)  well  developed 
retrorse  teeth,  shorter  when  more  numerous;  base  of  anal  fin  3.2  to 
4.1  in  body;  free  margin  of  fin  but  little  rounded  from  8th  to  isth 
ray;  caudal  fin  slightly  emarginate. 

Color  dark  yellowish  to  much  marbled  or  mottled  with  darker  to 
nearly  black;  anal  fin  with  membrane  and  rays  of  nearly  the  same 
color. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      243 

Length  about  18  inches. 

It  inhabits  lowland  streams  and  ponds  from  Minnesota  to  Maine 
and  Texas.  This  species  spawns  in  the  spring.  For  some  time  after 
the  young  are  hatched  they  swim  in  a  brood,  accompanied  by  the 
mother.  A  good  food  fish. 

Des  Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn, 
Illinois;  Butterfield  Creek,  Elliotts  Park,  Illinois;  Lagoon,  Buffing- 
ton,  Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark  Junction,  Indiana. 

Ameiurus  melas   (Rafinesque).     BLACK  BULLHEAD. 

Head  3.1  to  3.5 ;  depth  3.1  to  3.5;  D.  1-6;  A.  17  to  20. 

Body  robust,  head  large,  profile  slightly  convex,  its  width  j.i  to 
1.2  in  its  length;  mouth  wide,  the  jaws  about  equal;  maxillary  bar- 
bels reaching  to  or  slightly  beyond  gill  opening;  pectoral  spine  short, 
rather  blunt,  its  length  2.4  to  3.6  in  head;  posterior  edge  of  pectoral 


FIG  20.    BLACK  BULLHEAD. 

Ameiurus  melas  (Raf.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

spine  entire  or  slightly  roughened;  seldom  with  5  to  10  weak  teeth 
in  adults;  base  of  anal  fin  3.9  to  4.4  in  body,  its  free  margin  distinctly 
rounded ;  caudal  fin  slightly  emarginate. 

Color  dark  brown  or  greenish  to  black  above,  becoming  lighter  or 
yellowish  below;  anal  rays  very  light  in  contrast  with  black  inter- 
radial  membranes. 

Length  12  inches. 

Found  usually  with  the  preceding  from  New  York  to  Kansas  and 
Texas,  which  it  much  resembles  in  appearance  and  habits. 

Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River, 
Berwyn,  Illinois;  Chicago  River,  Edgebrook,  Illinois;  Thorn  Creek, 
Thornton,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana; 
Calumet  River,  Clark  Junction,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Clark,  Indiana. 


244     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Genus  Leptops  Rafinesque. 

Body  elongate,  much  depressed  anteriorly;  head  large,  wide; 
supraoccipital  bony  bridge  incomplete ;  teeth  in  broad  bands  on  both 
jaws,  those  of  the  upper  jaw  continued  backward  on  each  side;  lower 
jaw  the  longer;  caudal  fin  oblong,  subtruncate,  with  numerous  short 
rays  at  upper  and  lower  margins. 

Leptops  olivaris   (Rafinesque).     MUD  CAT;    YELLOW  CAT;   GOUJON; 

MORGAN  CAT. 

Head  3.2  to  4;  depth  4.4  to  5.2;  D.  1-6;  A.  12  to  15. 

Body  elongate;  head  long  and  broad,  much  depressed;  its  width 
3.7  to  4.4  in  body;  interorbital  space  nearly  flat,  its  width  3.7  to  4.4 
in  body;  lower  jaw  the  longer;  lips  thin;  maxillary  barbels  not 
reaching  gill  openings;  eye  small,  its  diameter  8  to  14  in  head;  per- 
toral  spine  short,  3  to  4.4  in  head,  its  anterior  and  posterior  edges 
roughened  or  weakly  serrate ;  caudal  fin  subtruncate. 

Color  usually  dark  olive  to  yellowish  above;  lighter  yellowish  to 
gray  below;  young  mottled. 

It  reaches  a  weight  of  50  to  75  pounds. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  larger  streams  of  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
south  to  Northern  Mexico.  It  is  a  good  food  fish.  Spawns  in  May 
and  later. 

Genus  Noturus  Rafinesque. 
STONE  CAT. 

Body  elongate,  head  broad  flattened  above;  posterior  part  of  body 
nearly  cylindrical;  adipose  dorsal  long  and  attached  for  its  entire 
length ;  separated  from  caudal  fin  by  a  notch ;  band  of  teeth  in  upper 
jaw  with  lateral  backward  extensions;  a  poison  gland  at  base  of 
pectoral  fin. 

Noturus  flavus  Rafinesque.     STONE  CAT. 

Head  3.6  to  3.9;   depth  4.0  to  5.0;   D.  1-6;  A.  16. 

Body  elongate,  its  anterior  half  broad  and  flattened,  its  posterior 
cylindrical ;  tail  compressed ;  head  broad,  its  width  4  to  5  in  length 
of  body;  upper  jaw  the  longer;  maxillary  barbels  short,  about  half 
length  of  head;  diameter  of  eye  4  to  6  in  head;  dorsal  fin  to  tip  of 
snout  2.4  to  2.8  in  body;  the  spine  short,  its  length  3  in  height  of  fin; 
pectoral  spine  with  a  few  weak  retrorse  teeth  on  its  anterior  edge  near 
tip,  the  posterior  edge  smooth  or  nearly  so;  caudal  fin  rounded. 


APRIL,  igio.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      245 

Color  dark  olive  green  above,  sides  yellowish,  below  white;  a 
blotch  of  yellowish  before  and  behind  dorsal;  fins  color  of  adjacent 
parts  with  edges  lighter. 

Length  10  to  12  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  rather  swift  running  water  from  Virginia,  the 
Great  Lakes,  to  Montana  and  Texas. 

This  species  deposits  its  eggs  in  June  under  objects  in  the  water, 
guarding  them  till  hatched.  It  is  not  used  for  food. 

Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


Genus  Schilbeodes  Bleeker. 
MAD  TOMS. 

Body  short  or  moderately  elongate,  its  anterior  half  subcylindrical, 
the  tail  compressed;  adipose  dorsal  long  and  attached  for  its  entire 
length,  continuous  with  caudal  or  separated  by  a  notch;  teeth  in 
broad  bands,  those  of  upper  jaw  without  lateral  backward  extensions; 
caudal  fin  rounded  with  numerous  short  rays  above  and  below  caudal 
peduncle;  a  poison  gland  at  base  of  pectoral  fin.  All  of  the  species 
of  this  genus  are  too  small  to  be  used  for  food. 

a.  Pectoral  spine  not  serrated  on  posterior  margin;  adipose  fin 
continuous  with  caudal;  depth  of  body  3.8  to  4.4  in  its  length. 

gyrinus,     245 

aa.  Pectoral  spine  distinctly  serrated  on  its  posterior  edge ;  adipose 
fin  separated  from  caudal  by  a  notch;  depth  of  body  4.6  to  6.0 
in  its  length. 

b.  Pectoral  spine  3  in  head;   a  light  colored  squarish  blotch  on 
back  before  dorsal  and  a  smaller  crescentic  one  behind  it. 

exilis,     246 

bb.  Pectoral  spine  less  than  2  in  head;  4  saddle-like  blotches  on 
back.  miurus,  247 

Schilbeodes  gyrinus  (Mitchill).     TADPOLE  CAT. 

Head  3.2  to  3.9;  depth  3.8  to  4.4;   D.  1-6;   A.  13  to  15. 

Body  robust,  tadpole-like  in  form;  head  large;  profile  steep  and 
nearly  straight  from  snout  to  dorsal;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  barbels 
scarcely  reaching  gill  openings;  diameter  of  eye  6.3  to  7.6  in  head; 
dorsal  fin  to  tip  of  snout  2.5  to  2.9  in  length  of  body;  its  spine  more 
than  %  height  of  fin;  pectoral  spine  strong,  its  length  1.9  to  2.4  in 
head,  its  edges  smooth  or  the  anterior  with  2  or  3  obscure  teeth;  lat- 
eral line  imperfect,  and  wanting  on  posterior  half  of  body. 


246     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Color  olivaceous  to  almost  black,  top  of  head  darker;  a  dark  streak 
on  middle  of  side  and  one  near  ventral  surface ;  pectoral  and  ventral 
fins  dusky,  other  fins  plain. 

Length  3  to  5  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  small  sluggish  streams  and  ponds  from  the 
Rainy  River  eastward  through  the  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  to  the 
Hudson  River,  Florida,  and  Alabama.  It  probably  spawns  in  May 
It  feeds  on  small  crustaceans  and  insects. 

Bull  Creek,  Zion  City,  Illinois;  Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  La- 
goon, Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn, 
Illinois;  Chicago  River,  Edgebrook,  Illinois;  Calumet  Lake,  Pullman, 
Illinois;  Lake  George,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana;  Lagoon, 
Clark  Junction,  Indiana. 

Schilbeodes  exilis  (Nelson).     SLENDER  STONE  CAT. 

Head  3.9  to  4.3;   depth  4.9  to  6.0;   D.  1-6;   A.  14  to  17. 

Body  elongate,  the  head  slightly  depressed;  caudal  region  com- 
pressed ;  head  small ;  upper  jaw  slightly  the  longer;  maxillary  barbels 
not  reaching  gill  openings;  diameter  of  eye  5.3  to  7.3  in  head;  dorsal 
fin  to  tip  of  snout  2.9  to  3.1  in  length,  its  spine  scarcely  half  the  height 
of  the  fin;  pectoral  spine  2.7  to  3.1  in  head;  weakly  serrate  anteriorly 
near  tip,  the  basal  ^  of  its  posterior  margin  with  about  6  slender 
teeth ;  caudal  fin  rounded. 


FIG.  21.    SLENDER  STONE  CAT. 

Schilbeodes  exilis  (Nelson).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  yellowish  brown,  uniform  on  sides,  darker  above  with  a 
lighter  squarish  spot  on  occiput  and  a  crescentic  one  behind  dorsal; 
fins  pale  or  slightly  dusky  with  darker  margins. 

Length  3  to  4  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  small  streams,  with  clear  running  water,  from 
Wisconsin  to  Indiana  and  Kansas. 

Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      247 

Schilbeodes  miurus  (Jordan).     BRINDLED  STONE  CAT. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9 ;  depth  4.6  to  5.6 ;  D.  1-6 ;  A.  13  to  15. 

Body  elongate,  broad  anteriorly,  slender  and  compressed  posteri- 
orly; head  wide,  depressed  anteriorly;  upper  jaw  slightly  longer 
than  the  lower;  maxillary  barbels  scarcely  reaching  gill  openings; 
diameter  of  eye  4.3  to  5.0  in  head;  dorsal  fin  to  tip  of  snout  2.6  to  2.8 
in  the  length ;  dorsal  spine  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  fin ;  pec- 
toral spine  1.5  to  1.8  in  head,  curved,  the  basal  z/$  of  anterior  edge 
finely  serrate,  the  posterior  margin  with  6  to  8  strong  hook-like  teeth ; 
caudal  fin  rounded. 


FIG.  22.    BRINDLED  STONE  CAT. 

Schilbeodes  miurus  (Jordan).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  grayish  with  small  black  spots,  the  back  crossed  by  saddle- 
like  blotches,  one  before  dorsal,  one  behind  it,  one  on  adipose  fin  and 
one  at  base  of  caudal;  tip  of  dorsal,  caudal,  and  anal  blackish. 

Length  3^  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  small  clear  streams  and  ponds  from  Lake 
Michigan  to  Louisiana. 


Order  Eveiitognathi. 

THE  CARP-LIKE  FISHES. 

Skeleton  osseous,  the  anterior  vertebrae  modified  and  with  Weberian 
apparatus;  opercular  bones  present;  jaws  without  teeth;  ventral  fins 
abdominal;  air  bladder  with  open  duct;  body  usually  covered  with 
ordinary  scales. 

a.       Pharyngeal  teeth  numerous,  comb-like;  dorsal  fin  of  more  than 
10  rays;  lips  thick,  covered  with  plicate  or  papillose  skin. 

Catostomida,     248 


248     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

aa.     Pharyngeal  teeth  fewer,  4  to  8  on  each  bone;  dorsal  fin  of  less 
than  10  rays;  lips  without  thickened  skin.       Cyprinidce,     257 


Family  Catostomidse. 

THE  SUCKERS. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  usually  more  or  less  compressed  and 
covered  with  large  cycloid  scales;  fins  without  true  spines;  gill 
membranes  united  to  the  isthmus ;  pseudobranchias  present ;  branchi- 
ostegals  3 ;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  in  the  middle  by  the  small 
premaxillaries  and  on  sides  by  maxillaries;  lower  pharyngeal  bones 
falciform  and  with  a  single  row  of  comb-like  teeth ;  mouth  with  thick 
lips  covered  with  plicate  or  papillose  skin ;  fins  without  spines ;  caudal 
fin  forked;  no  pyloric  cceca;  air  bladder  in  2  or  3  parts,  connected  to 
oesophagus. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  elongate,  of  more  than  20  developed  rays. 

b.  Mouth    large,    more    or   less   terminal,    protractile    forward; 
*  pharyngeal  teeth  and  bones  moderate;  coloration,  dark. 

Ictiobus,     249 

bb.  Mouth  smaller,  inferior,  protractile  downward;  pharyngeal 
bones  narrow,  with  the  teeth  thin  and  weak;  coloration,  pale. 

Carpiodes,     250 
aa.  Dorsal  fin  shorter,  of  less  than  20  rays. 

c.  Lips  plicate. 

d.  Lateral  line  wanting  or  imperfectly  developed ;  sides  with  dark 
band  or  dark  lateral  stripes ;   air  bladder  in  2  parts. 

e.  Lateral  line  entirely  wanting;  sides  with  a  single  dark  lateral 
band.  Erimyzon,     251 

ee.  Lateral  line  incomplete;  sides  with  dark  lateral  stripes  along 
the  rows  of  scales.  Minytrema,  252 

dd.  Lateral  line  complete;  sides  without  dark  lateral  band  or 
lateral  stripes ;  air  bladder  in  3  parts. 

f .  Pharyngeal  teeth  compressed ;  mouth  wholly  inferior. 

Moxostoma,     253 

ff.     Pharyngeal  teeth  large,  molar-like;   mouth  somewhat  oblique. 

"\(Placo  pharynx) 

*  The  pharyngeal  bones  are  situated  on  either  side  of  the  oesophagus  just 
back  of  the  gill  arches. 

t  Placopharynx  duquesnii  (Le  Sueur)  probably  does  not  occur  in  the  waters 
in  and  about  Chicago.  In  form  and  appearance  it  resembles  the  common  red- 
horse,  with  which  it  is  often  identified,  but  from  which  it  is  easily  separated 
because  of  its  molar-like  pharyngeal  teeth. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      249 

cc.      Lips  papillose;  air  bladder  in  2  parts;  scales  48  to  no. 

Catostom  us,     255 

Genus  Ictiobus  Rafinesque. 

THE  BUFFALO  FISHES. 

Body  robust,  compressed,  both  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  curved ; 
head  rather  large;  mouth  terminal  or  slightly  inferior;  lips  thin, 
plain  or  more  or  less  plicate;  the  upper  protractile  downwards  and 
forwards;  eye  nearer  angle  of  preopercle  than  upper  corner  of  gill 
cleft;  pharyngeal  bones  broad,  but  thin  and  weak;  the  teeth  long; 
dorsal  fin  long,  of  25  to  30  rays;  the  anterior  ones  produced  to  about 
^2  length  of  fin;  air  bladder  in  2  parts;  lateral  line  complete;  colora- 
tion dark,  never  silvery.  All  are  good  food  fishes. 

a.     Body  slender,  the  dorsal  region  little  elevated,  depth  3.0  to  3.5 

in  the  length.  urus,     249 

aa.  Body  deeper,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  depth  2.5  to  2.8  in 

length.  bubalus,     249 

Ictiobus  urus  (Agassiz).     MONGREL  BUFFALO. 

Head  3.7  to  4.0;  depth  3.0  to  3.4;  D.  29  or  30;  A.  9  or  10;  scales 

36  to  40. 

Body  robust,  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about  equally  curved; 
snout  bluntly  rounded;  mouth  small,  little  oblique,  protractile  down- 
ward and  forward,  lips  plicate;  eye  small,  5.1  to  6.6  in  head;  inter- 
orbital  space  2.0  to  2.3  in  head;  tips  of  anterior  rays  of  dorsal  when 
deflexed  not  reaching  past  middle  of  fin ;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  dark  slaty-gray  to  almost  black;  fins  all  dark. 

This  fish  reaches  a  weight  of  50  pounds  but  those  usually  seen  in 
the  market  seldom  exceed  10  pounds. 

It  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  bayous  throughout  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  the  southern  end  of  Lake  Michigan  and  the  tributary  streams. 
It  spawns  in  April. 

Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Ictiobus  bubalus  (Rafinesque).     SMALL-MOUTH  BUFFALO. 

Head  3.6  to  4.1;  depth  2.5  to  2.9;  D.  27  to  30;  A.  9  to  10;  scales 

37  to  39. 

Body  robust,  the  dorsal  region  considerably  elevated;  snout 
bluntly  pointed;  mouth  small,  inferior,  protractile  downward  and 
forward;  lips  coarsely  and  brokenly  plicate;  eye  small,  4.4  to  6.2  in 
head;  interorbital  space  2.1  to  2.6  in  head;  tips  of  anterior  rays  of 
dorsal  when  deflexed  not  reaching  middle  of  fin ;  lateral  line  complete. 


250     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Color  dull  brownish  olive,  never  silvery. 

This  species  reaches  a  weight  of  40  Ibs.,  a  little  smaller  than  the 
preceding. 

It  is  usually  found  with  the  preceding  species,  which  it  much 
resembles  in  appearance  and  habits.  Not  known  to  occur  in  the 
Great  Lake  Basin. 


Genus  Carpiodes  Rafmesque. 

THE  CARP  SUCKERS. 

Body  thin,  compressed;  ventral  line  almost  straight,  the  dorsal 
much  arched;  head  small,  short;  lips  thin  and  slightly  striate,  the 
upper  protractile  downwards;  eye  equidistant  from  lower  posterior 
angle  of  preopercle  and  upper  corner  of  gill  cleft;  pharyngeal  bones 
broad  but  thin,  the  teeth  weak  and  much  compressed;  dorsal  fin 
long,  of  23  to  30  rays,  the  anterior  ones  produced  to  more  than  half 
length  of  fin;  lateral  line  complete;  coloration  silvery.  All  are  used 
for  food,  but  of  less  value  than  species  of  Ictiobus. 

a.  Snout  short,  3.5  to  4.5  in  head;  nostrils  well  forward,  the  dis- 
tance from  anterior  nostril  to  end  of  snout  less  than  diameter 
of  the  eye.  difformis,  250 

aa.  Snout  longer,  3.0  to  3.5  in  head;  nostrils  situated  well  back, 
the  distance  from  the  anterior  nostril  to  end  of  snout  usually 
greater  than  diameter  of  the  eye;  tip  of  lower  jaw  far  in  advance 
of  the  nostrils.  .  velifer,     251 

Carpiodes  difformis    Cope.    BLUNT-NOSED  RIVER  CARP. 

Head  3.9  to  4.3;  depth  2.4  to  2.7;  D.  24  to  25;  A.  8;  scales  35  to  37. 


FIG.  23.    BLUNT-NOSED  RIVER  CARP 

Carpiodes  difformis  Cope.     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAXD.      251 

Body  short,  compressed;  the  dorsal  region  much  arched;  snout 
small,  wholly  inferior;  lips  weakly  plicated,  the  halves  of  the  lower 
meeting  at  a  rather  sharp  angle,  tip  of  lower  lip  scarcely  in  advance 
of  the  nostrils;  interorbital  space  2.2  to  2.5  in  head;  snout  short, 
very  blunt,  its  length  3.9  to  4.5  in  head;  nostrils  near  tip  of  snout; 
anterior  dorsal  rays  as  long  as  or  longer  than  the  fin;  lateral  line 
complete. 

Color  silvery,  darker  above. 

This  fish  seldom  reaches  a  length  of  more  than  1 2  inches. 

It  occurs  in  the  Ohio  Valley  and  westward  in  the  larger  streams. 

Carpiodes  velifer  (Rafmesque).     QUILLBACK;  SILVER  CARP. 

Head  3.6  to  4.0;  depth  2.7  to  3.0;  D.  27  to  30;  A.  9  to  10;  scales 
39  or  40. 

Body  ovate,  compressed;  dorsal  region  much  arched;  mouth  small, 
slightly  oblique;  lips  weakly  plicate,  the  lower  halves  meeting  at  a 
sharp  angle;  tip  of  lower  lip  far  in  advance  of  nostrils;  interorbital 
space  2.3  to  2.5  in  head;  snout  long,  bluntly  pointed,  its  length  2.9 
to  3.5  in  head;  nostrils  much  nearer  eye  than  tip  of  snout;  anterior 
dorsal  rays  about  as  long  as  the  fin;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  light  olive  above,  sides  silvery;  fins  pale. 

Length  about  12  inches. 

This  species  occurs  in  the  smaller  rivers  and  creeks  from  Ohio 
to  Iowa  and  southward.  It  spawns  in  April.  Similar  in  size  and 
appearance  to  the  preceding. 


Genus  Erimyzoii  Jordan. 
THE  CHUB  SUCKERS. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  head  short;  mouth 
subinferior,  slightly  oblique;  upper  lip  protractile,  lower  lip  plicate, 
its  halves  meeting  in  an  acute  angle;  no  anterior  fontanelle,  the 
posterior  well  developed ;  pharyngeal  bones  weak,  the  teeth  small  and 
slender,  rapidly  decreasing  in  length  upward ;  air  bladder  in  two  parts ; 
lateral  line  wanting. 

Erimyzon  sucetta  (Lac^pede).     CHUB  SUCKER. 

Head  3.5  to  4.1 ;  depth  3.1  to  3.9;  D.  9  to  12 ;  A.  7 ;  scales  36  to  45 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  becoming  deeper  with,  age;  head  short; 

mouth  subinferior,  small,  slightly  oblique;  lower  lip  strongly  plicate, 

its  halves  meeting  at  an  acute  angle;  eye  large,  3.8  to  5.8  in  head; 


252     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  24.    CHUB  SUCKER. 

Erimyzon  sucetta  (Lac.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

interorbital  space  slightly  convex,  2.2  to  2.6  in  head;  dorsal  fin  a 
little  higher  than  long,  its  free  margin  convex;  lateral  line  absent. 

Color  uniform  brownish  olive,  with  more  or  less  coppery  lustre; 
sides  with  dark  lateral  band,  most  conspicuous  in  the  young;  fins 
dusky. 

Length  about  10  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  Virginia  and 
Texas.  It  prefers  sluggish  or  still  water  where  there  is  much  vegeta- 
tion. It  spawns  in  April.  Of  little  value  as  a  food  fish. 

Fox  River,  Illinois;  Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines 
River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Lagoon, 
Buffington,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark, 
Indiana;  Lagoon,  Edgemoor,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Gary,  Indiana. 


Genus  Minytrema  Jordan. 
STRIPED  SUCKER. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  head  small;  mouth  in- 
ferior, the  upper  lip  protractile,  the  lower  plicate;  fontanelle  large; 
pharyngeal  bones  weak,  the  teeth  well  developed;  lateral  line  absent 
in  young,  imperfectly  developed  in  adults;  air  bladder  in  2  parts. 

Minytrema  melanops   (Rafinesque).     STRIPED  SUCKER. 

Head  3.9  to  4.6;  depth  3.9  to  4.5 ;  D.  n  or  12;  A.  7  or  8;  scales  42 
to  46. 

Body  elongated,  moderately  compressed;  snout  blunt;  mouth 
small,  inferior;  lower  lip  plicate,  its  halves  meeting  at  a  short  angle; 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      253 

snout  2.3  to  2.7  in  head;  eye  small,  4.4  to  6.9  in  head;  interorbital 
space  convex,  2.2  to  2.5  in  head;  free  margin  of  dorsal  fin  concave; 
lateral  line  absent  in  young,  incomplete  in  adult. 

Color  olivaceous  to  coppery;  each  scale  with  a  dark  spot,  these 
forming  lines  along  rows  of  scales ;  fins  plain. 

Length  about  18  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  smaller  rivers,  creeks,  and  ponds  from  the 
Great  Lakes  to  North  Carolina  and  Texas.  It  is  not  abundant  any- 
where and  is  of  little  value  as  a  food  fish. 


Genus  Moxostoma  Rafinesque. 

REDHORSE  SUCKERS. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  mouth  inferior,  lips 
transversely  plicate,  the  folds  rarely  so  broken  as  to  form  papillae ; 
posterior  fontanelle  well  open ;  phar.yngeal  bones  weak,  the  teeth  rather 
coarse;  lateral  line  well  developed;  air  bladder  in  3  parts;  caudal  fin 
well  forked. 

a.  Lips  strongly  plicate;  halves  of  the  lower  lip  meeting  in  wide 
angle;  margin  of  dorsal  fin  convex.  aureolum,     253 

aa.  Folds  of  the  lower  lip  more  or  less  broken  into  papillae;  dorsal 
fin  with  its  margin  straight  or  concave. 

b.  Head  long,  3.5  to  4.3  in  body;  halves  of  lower  lip  meeting  in  a 
sharp  angle;  margin  of  dorsal  fin  straight.  anisurum,     254 

bb.  Head  short,  4.5  to  5.5  in  head;  halves  of  lower  lip  truncate 
behind;  margin  of  dorsal  fin  convex.  breviceps,     254 

Moxostoma  aureolum  (LeSueur).    COMMON  REDHORSE. 

Head  3.9  to  4.5  ;  depth3.6  to  4.4;  D.  12  to  14;  A.  7 ;  scales  41  to  48. 

Body  elongate,  robust  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly;  the 
back  little  elevated;  head  moderate,  flattened  above,  the  cheeks 
nearly  vertical;  mouth  large,  lips  thick,  coarsely  plicate;  eye  large, 


FIG.  25.    LIPS  OF  THE  COMMON  REDHORSE. 

Moxostoma  aureolum  (Le  S.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


254     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

4.0  to  5.8  in  head;  free  margin  of  dorsal  straight,  the  fin  a  little  higher 
than  long;  upper  lobe  of  caudal  a  little  longer  than  the  lower;  lateral 
line  complete. 

Color  uniformly  olivaceous  above  and  on  sides,  becoming  pale 
below ;  dorsal  dusky ;  lower  fins  with  some  orange  at  base ;  the  outer 
margins  dusky. 

Length  about  18  to  24  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  clearer  streams  and  lakes  from  the  Assini- 
boin  through  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  Arkansas  and  Georgia.  It 
spawns  in  April  and  May,  ascending  streams  for  that  purpose.  Of 
little  value  as  a  food  fish. 

Fox  Lake,  Illinois;  Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Dead  River. 
Beach,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Moxostoma  anisurum   (Rafinesque).     WHITE-NOSED  SUCKER. 

Head  3.5  to  4.3  ;  depth  3.3  to  4.1 ;  D.  14  to  17  ;  A.  7 ;  scales  42  to  45. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  robust  anteriorly,  the  dorsal  region 
elevated;  head  broad  and  short;  interorbital  space  flat,  2.2  to  2.6 
in  head;  snout  long,  2.1  to  2.6  in  head;  mouth  rather  large,  the  lips 
thick,  the  folds  broken  into  papillae;  eye  large,  4.0  to  6.4  in  head; 


FIG.  26.    LIPS  OF  THE  WHITE-NOSED  SUCKER. 

Moxostoma  anisurum  (Raf.)-    (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

dorsal  fin  long,  its  free  margin  straight,  upper  lobe  of  caudal  a  little 
longer  than  the  lower;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  pale,  silvery,  darker  above,  the  nose  and  chin  whitish; 
dorsal  and  caudal  with  some  dusky;  lower  fins  white  to  light  reddish. 

Length  about  18  inches. 

It  inhabits  the  clearer  streams  of  the  Great  Lake  Region  to 
North  Carolina.  Smaller  and  less  common  than  the  preceding. 

Moxostoma  breviceps  (Cope).     SHORT-HEADED  REDHORSE. 

Head  4.6  to  5.4;  depth  3.8  to  4.6;  D.  12  or  13 ;  A.  7;  scales  43  to  45. 

Body  subfusiform,  moderately  compressed;  head  short,  sub- 
conical,  interorbital  space  1.9  to  2.4  in  head;  snout  2.3  to  2.9  in  head; 
diameter  of  eye  4  to  5  in  head;  mouth  small,  upper  lip  coarsely 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      255 

plicate,  the  lower  breaking  into  papillae  on  distal  margin;  lower  lip 
truncate  behind;  free  margin  of  dorsal  fin  concave;  upper  lobe  of 
caudal  falcate,  usually  longer  than  the  lower;  lateral  line  complete. 
Color  pale  yellowish  olive  above,  paler  below;  dorsal  scarcely 
dusky;  caudal  light  with  reddish  tinge;  lower  fins  salmon  colored  with 
greenish  margins. 


FIG.  26.    LIPS  OF  THE  SHORT-HEADED  REDHORSE. 

Moxostoma  breviceps  (Cope).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Length  about  15  inches. 

It  inhabits  streams  and  lakes  of  the  Great  Lake  Region  and  the 
Upper  Mississippi   Valley.     A  food  fish   of   not  much  importance. 
Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois. 


Genus  Catostoinus  LeSueur. 

FINE-SCALED  SUCKERS. 

Body  elongate,  subfusiform;  head  elongate,  rather  broad;  mouth 
inferior;  lips  thick,  papillose;  upper  lip  protractile;  posterior  fontanelle 
large;  pharyngeal  teeth  shortish;  air  bladder  in  two  parts;  lateral 
line  developed. 

a.  Head  transversely  convex  above;  scales  in  lateral  series  more 
than  60 ;  scales  on  anterior  portion  of  the  body  reduced  in  size. 

b.  Scales  in  lateral  series  95  to  115.  catostomus,     255 
bb.  Scales  in  lateral  series  68  to  80.                         commersonii,     256 
aa.  Head  broad,  transversely  concave;  scales  large,  48  to  55  in  the 

lateral  series.  nigricans,     257 

Catostomus    catostomus    (Forster).       LONG-NOSED     SUCKER;    RED 

SUCKER;    NORTHERN  SUCKER. 

Head  4^  to  4.6;  depth  4.3  to  4.6;  D.  10  or  n;  A.  7;  scales  95  to 
114. 

Body  elongate,  subterete;  head  long  and  slender;  interorbital 
space  convex;  mouth  small,  lips  coarsely  tuberculate;  snout  long, 
rather  pointed,  overhanging  the  large  mouth;  eye  small  8.2  in  head; 


256     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

scales  on  sides  and  upper  part  of  body  reduced  in  size  anteriorly; 
lateral  line  complete;  caudal  forked. 

Color  olivaceous  above,  lighter  below;  sides  of  male  in  breeding 
season  with  a  broad  rosy  band. 

Length  about  24  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  the  Great  Lake  Region,  the  Upper  Missouri 
and  Columbia  Rivers,  and  northward  into  Alaska.  Frequently  taken 
by  fishermen  at  Pine  and  Millers,  Indiana.  Not  abundant  and  of 
little  value  as  a  food  fish. 

Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana;    Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana. 

Catostomus  commersonii  (Lacepede).     COMMON  SUCKER. 

Head  4.0  to  4.8;  depth  4.3  to  5.3;  D.  n  to  13 ;  A.  7 ;  scales  63  to 
80. 

Body  elongate,  subterete,  robust  anteriorly;  head  subconical, 
flattish  above;  interorbital  space  nearly  flat;  2.1  to  2.6  in  head; 
snout  blunt;  mouth  inferior,  the  lips  strongly  papillose;  the  diameter 
of  eye  4.5  to  6.8  in  head;  scales  smaller  on  anterior  portion  of  body; 


FIG-  27.    COMMON  SUCKER. 
Catostomus  commersonii  (Lac.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

lateral  line  complete  in  adults,  partially  absent  in  the  young;  caudal 
fin  forked. 

Color  olivaceous  on  back  and  sides;  lighter  below;  spring  males 
with  a  faint  rosy  lateral  band. 

Length  about  18  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  the  smaller  streams  from  Georgia  to  Missouri 
and  northward  to  Great  Bear  Lake  and  Hudson  Bay.  Spawns  in 
the  spring.  Too  full  of  small  bones  to  be  of  much  value  as  a  food  fish. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Bull  Creek,  Zion  City,  Illinois; 
Bull  Creek,  Beach,  Illinois;  Pettibone  Creek,  North  Chicago,  Illinois; 
Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois;  Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des 
Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois; 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      257 

Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana;  Lagoon  and  Lake  Michigan,  Pine, 
Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark,  Indiana. 

Catostomus  nigricans  Le  Sueur.       HOG  SUCKER;  STONE-ROLLER. 

Head  3.6  to  4.5;  depth  4.6  to  5.1 ;  D.  10  to  13;  A.  7  ;  scales  46  to  51. 

Body  elongate,  subfusiform.  robust  anteriorly;  head  very  large 
and  broad;  interorbital  space  transversely  concave,  1.9  to  2.5  in 
head;  snout  long  and  strongly  decurved,  1.8  to  2.2  in  head;  mouth 
inferior,  the  lips  thick  and  strongly  papillose;  diameter  of  the  eye  4.5 
to  7.0  in  head;  scales  on  sides  and  dorsal  region  of  nearly  uniform 
size;  lateral  line  complete;  caudal  fin  forked. 

Color  dark  olivaceous  above,  sides  with  brassy  lustre;  belly  white; 
young  with  4  dark  oblique  bars  on  back  and  sides;  pectorals  and 
ventrals  with  some  darker  markings. 

Length  about  24  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  clear  water,  from  the  Lake  of  the  Woods  to 
Kansas  and  east  to  the  Atlantic  slope,  north  of  the  Carolinas,  ascend- 
ing streams  in  the  spring  to  spawn.  Of  little  value  as  a  food  fish. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


Family  Cyprinidse. 

THE  MINNOWS. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  mouth  large  or  small, 
terminal  or  subinferior;  margin  of  the  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  pre- 
maxillaries;  no  teeth  in  the  jaws;  pharyngeal  bones  well  developed, 
falciform,  and  nearly  parallel  with  the  gill  arches,  each  provided  with 
i  to  3  rows  of  teeth,  usually  4  to  7  in  the  main  row;  fewer  in  the  other 
rows  if  present;  barbels,  usually  none,  never  more  than  2  to  4;  belly 
rounded,  rarely  compressed  to  an  edge,  and  never  serrate;  gill  mem- 
branes broadly  joined  to  the  isthmus;  branchiostegals  always  3  ;  gills 
4;  pseudobranchiae  usually  present;  ventral  fins  abdominal;  air 
bladder  large,  usually  in  two  lobes;  stomach  without  appendages. 

This  family  comprises  many  small  fresh-water  fishes.  A  few  of 
our  western  forms  reach  a  large  size.  On  this  continent  the  southern- 
most limit  of  this  family  is  in  the  Balsas  basin  in  southern  Mexico. 

This  large  group  of  small  fishes  which  so  much  resemble  each  other 
in  form,  size,  and  coloration  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  in  which  to 
distinguish  genera  and  species.  Before  one  can  make  much  progress 
in  the  study  ot  these  species,  careful  attention  must  be  given  to  the 


258     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

teeth,  as  the  genera  are  based  largely  on  dental  characters.  The 
teeth  are  confined  to  the  pharyngeal  bones  which  are  just  back  of  the 
gill  openings  on  either  side  of  the  oesophagus.  In  American  species 
the  teeth  on  each  pharyngeal  bone  are  in  one  large  row  of  4  or  5,  in 
front  of  which  is  usually  a  smaller  row  of  one  or  two  teeth.  The 
pharyngeal  bones  must  be  removed  with  great  care  to  avoid  breaking 
the  teeth  from  them.  It  is  best  to  clean  the  teeth  by  tearing  away 
the  flesh  with  a  needle  or  other  sharp-pointed  instrument,  after  which 
they  are  easily  examined  with  a  hand  lens.  The  herbivorous  species 
have  teeth  usually  not  hooked  and  with  a  flat  or  concave  surface.  In 
the  carnivorous  species  they  usually  have  a  sharp  cutting  or  a  serrated 
edge  and  hooked  tips.  Their  number  is  indicated  by  a  dental  formula. 
Thus  "teeth  4-4,"  indicates  that  only  the  principal  row  on  each  side 
is  present.  "Teeth  2.  4-5,  2,"  indicates  the  principal  row  on  one  side 
contains  four  teeth,  the  other  five,  while  the  lesser  row  on  each  side 
contains  two  each,  and  so  on. 

During  the  breeding  season  the  males  are  more  or  less  covered  with 
tubercles,  outgrowths  of  the  epidermis.  Usually  these  are  confined 
to  the  head,  but  often  are  found  over  the  entire  body.  The  lower 
parts  of  the  body  and  the  fins  are  often  highly  colored ;  the  prevailing 
color  being  red,  although  in  some  genera  it  is  satin  white,  yellow,  or 
black.  In  some  cases  the  males  are  deeper  than  the  females.  Young 
examples  are  always  difficult  to  identify;  these  are  usually  more 
slender  and  have  a  larger  eye  than  the  adults.  Often  the  young  have 
a  lateral  band  and  a  dark  caudal  spot  which  the  adults  do  not  possess. 
In  the  following  descriptions  the  rudimentary  rays  of  the  dorsal  and 
anal  fins  are  not  counted.  Besides  the  native  species  here  mentioned, 
three  species  from  Europe  and  Asia  have  been  introduced  into  some  of 
the  streams  and  lakes  of  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  where  they 
have  become  quite  abundant.  They  are  easily  distinguished  from 
the  native  fresh-water  fishes  by  the  long  dorsal  fin  which  is  preceded 
by  a  serrated  spine. 

a.  Anterior  dorsal  rays  not  forming  a  stiff  serrated  spine;  dorsal 
fin  of  less  than  10  rays. 

b.  Alimentary  canal  more  than  twice  the  length  of  the  body ;  peri- 
toneum usually  black,  or  dark  gray. 

c.  Air  bladder  surrounded  by  convolutions  of  the  intestine;  about 
50  scales  in  the  lateral  series,  teeth  4-4  or  i,  4-4,  o. 

Campostoma ,     260 
cc.   Air  bladder  not  surrounded  by  convolutions  of  the  intestine. 

d.  Scales  very  small  65  to  90  in  the  lateral  series;  teeth  5-5  or  4-5. 

Chrosomus,     260 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      259 

dd.  Scales  larger,  35  to  50  in  lateral  series;  teeth  4-4. 

e.  Scales  between  nape  and  dorsal  fin  slightly  or  not  smaller  than 
those  on  rest  of  body;   12  to  16  in  number;  first  short  dorsal 
ray  closely  attached  to  second.  Hybognathus,     261 

ee.  Scales  between  nape  and  dorsal  fin  much  smaller  than  those  on 
rest  of  body;  22  to  25  in  number;  first  dorsal  ray  separated 
from  second  by  a  membrane.  Pimephales,  262 

bb.  Alimentary  canal  less  than  twice  the  length  of  the  body; 
peritoneum  usually  pale. 

f.  Premaxillaries  protractile;  scales  in  lateral  series,  usually  less 
than  60. 

g.  No  barbel  at  posterior  end  of  maxillary. 

h.  Mouth  very  small,  its  gape  very  oblique,  making  with  vertical 
an  angle  of  less  than  40°;  peritoneum  pale;  teeth  4-5  or  5-5. 

Opsopceodus,     263 

hh.  Mouth  larger,  its  gape  horizontal  or  more  or  less  oblique,  mak- 
ing with  the  vertical  an  angle  of  more  than  40°. 

i.  Abdomen  behind  ventral  fins  with  a  sharp  keel-like  edge  over 
which  the  scales  do  not  pass;  lateral  line  much  decurved,  con- 
curved  with  the  ventral  outline ;  body  much  compressed ;  teeth 
5-5;  anal  rays  12  to  14.  Notemigonus,  264 

ii.     Abdomen  behind  ventrals  rounded,  its  surface  fully  scaled. 

j.  First  dorsal  ray  separated  from  second  by  a  membrane;  snout 
blunt;  teeth  4-4.  Cliola,  265 

jj.    First  ray  of  dorsal  closely  attached  to  second. 

k.     Lips  normal,  nowhere  conspicuously  thickened. 

I.  Lower    portion    of    head   without    externally   visible    mucous 
channels.  Notropis,     266 

II.  Lower  portion  of    head  with    distended  mucous  cavities,  ap- 
pearing externally  as  transverse  vitreous  streaks. 

Ericymba,     275 
kk.  Lower  lip  thickened  at  each  side  forming  fleshy  lobes. 

Phenacobius ,     276 

gg.  One  or  two  barbels  at  or  near  posterior  end  of  maxillary. 

m.    Maxillary  barbel  or  barbels  terminal;  scales  large,  35  to  45  in 

lateral  series,  14  to  25  in  series  before  dorsal.        Hybopsis,     277 

mm.     Barbel  on  upper  side  and  near  tip  of  maxillary;  scales  smaller, 

50  or  60  in  the  lateral  series.      About  35  scales  in  series  before 

dorsal.  Semotilus,     280 

ff.    Premaxillaries  not  protractile;    scales  small,  more  than  60  in 

the  lateral  series.  Rhinichthys,     281 


260     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

aa.  Anterior  dorsal  rays  forming  a  stiff  serrated  spine;  dorsal  fin 

with  15  to  22  rays, 
n.     Mouth  with  4  long  barbels;   scales  in  lateral  series,  35  to  40; 

teeth  1,1,  3-3,  1,1.  Cyprinus,     282 

nn.  Mouth  without  barbels;  scales  in  lateral  series,  25  to  30;  teeth 

4-4.  Carassius,     283 

Genus  Campostoma  Agassiz. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;  mouth  small,  lips  thick;  pre- 
maxillaries  protractile;  no  maxillary  barbel;  pharyngeal  teeth  4-4 
or  i,  4-4,  o,  with  oblique  grinding  surface  and  a  slight  hook  on  one  or 
two  teeth ;  alimentary  canal  coiled  around  the  air  bladder ;  peritoneum 
black. 

Campostoma  anomalum   (Rafinesque).     STONE-ROLLER. 

Head  4.0  to  4.6 ;  depth  3.9  to  4.8 ;  D.  8 ;  A.  7  or  8 ;  scales  46  to  53. 

Body  elongate,  subterete;  head  subconic,  the  snout  projecting 
beyond  the  mouth;  mouth  horizontal,  the  maxillary  scarcely  reaching 
vertical  from  posterior  nostril,  its  length  3.3  to  4.6  in  head;  eye  small, 
4.2  to  5.2  in  head;  snout  2.3  to  2.8;  teeth  4-4  or  i,  4-4,  o,  with 
oblique  grinding  surface;  origin  of  dorsal  fin  about  midway  between 
end  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal;  alimentary  canal  5  to  9.5  times 
length  of  body;  peritoneum  black;  scales  small,  15  to  26  in  a  series 
between  nape  and  dorsal  fin,  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  brownish  olive,  sides  irregularly  blotched  with  darker;  a 
dusky  vertical  bar  behind  opercle,  dorsal,  and  anal  with  a  dusky  bar 
through  the  middle  on  males. 

Length  6  inches. 

This  fish  is  abundant  in  small  streams  from  Wyoming  to  New 
York,  North  Carolina,  and  Texas.  It  prefers  clear  running  water, 
spawning  on  riffles  in  the  spring. 

Bull  Creek,  Zion  City,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois;  Lockport,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek, 
Alpine,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois. 


Genus  Chrosomus  Rafinesque. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  little  compressed;  mouth  small,  ter- 
minal; lips  normal;  premaxillary  protractile;  no  maxillary  barbel; 
pharyngeal  teeth  5-5  or  4-5,  moderately  hooked  tips,  and  with  grind- 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      261 

ing  surface;    alimentary  canal  twice  length  of  the  body;   peritoneum 
black. 

Chrosomus  erythrogaster  Rafinesque.     RED-BELLIED  DACE. 

Head  4.0  to  4.2;  depth  4.4  to  4.9;  D.  7  ;  A.  7  or  8;  Scales  77  to  91. 

Body  rather  robust,  not  much  compressed;  head  rather  pointed; 
mouth  terminal,  margin  of  upper  lip  on  level  with  middle  of  pupil; 
maxillary  3.2  to  4.0  in  head;  its  tip  reaching  slightly  past  anterior 
nostril;  diameter  of  eye  3.3  to  3.8  in  head;  snout  pointed,  2.9  to  3.5; 
teeth  4-4  or  4-5  or  5-5,  with  tips  slightly  hooked  and  with  flat  or 
grooved  surfaces ;  alimentary  canal  2 . 4  to  3 . 5  times  length  of  the  body ; 
peritoneum  black;  scales  very  small,  35  to  40  scales  in  series  before 
dorsal  fin;  lateral  line  incomplete. 

Color  brownish  olive,  a  dark  vertebral  streak;  dark  spots  on  upper 
part  of  sides;  sides  with  two  black  stripes;  a  dark  caudal  spot; 
spaces  between  dark  lateral  stripes  cream  colored  to  red;  males  in 
spring  with  sides  and  belly  with  much  scarlet. 

Length  2  to  3  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  clear  water  from  the  Dakotas  to  Maine, 
Alabama,  and  Kansas.  It  is  nowhere  especially  abundant  except  in 
the  streams  of  the  Ozark  mountains,  where  it  occurs  in  large  numbers. 

Bull  Creek,  Zion  City,  Illinois;  Pettibone  Creek,  North  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley, 
Illinois;  Lagoon,  Pine.  Indiana. 


Genus  Hybognathus  Agassiz. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  mouth  small,  the  jaws 
sharp  edged;  premaxillary  protractile;  no  barbel;  teeth  4-4  with 
oblique  grinding  surface,  little  if  any  hook;  alimentary  canal  3  to  10 
times  length  of  the  body;  peritoneum  black. 

Hybognathus  nuchalis  Agassiz.     SILVERY  MINNOW. 

Head  4.0  to  4.6;   depth  3.9  to  4.5;   D.  8;  A.  8;   scales  37  to  39. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  head  small,  subconical; 
mouth  small,  terminal,  oblique,  margin  of  upper  jaw  slightly  below 
middle  of  pupil,  maxillary  3.6  to  4.3;  diameter  of  eye  3.8  to  4.5  in 
head;  snout  2.9  to  3.5  ;  lower  jaw  slightly  the  shorter,  with  sharp  hard 
edge;  teeth  4-4,  with  narrow  grinding  surface,  tips  slightly  if  at  all 
hooked;  alimentary  canal  3.7  to  8.0  times  length  of  the  body;  peri- 
toneum dusky;  scales  large,  13  to  1 6  in  a  series  before  dorsal;  lateral 
line  complete. 


262     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Color  olivaceous  green  above,  sides  silvery;  scales  not  distinctly 
dark-edged. 

Length  6  inches. 

A  small  silvery  minnow  ranging  from  the  Dakotas  to  Delaware, 
Georgia  and  Northern  Mexico.  It  prefers  clear  running  water.  So 
far  it  is  not  recorded  from  the  Chicago  area. 


Genus  Pimephales  Rafmesque. 
FATHEADS. 

Body  robust  or  elongate,  little  compressed ;  head  short  and  round- 
ed, mouth  small,  subinferior  or  slightly  oblique;  premaxillary  pro- 
tractile; no  barbel;  teeth  4-4  with  oblique  grinding  surface;  tips 
usually  not  hooked ;  alimentary  canal  more  than  twice  length  of  the 
body;  peritoneum  black. 

a.     Body  short,  robust,  depth  about  3.5  to  4  in  length;  lateral  line 

incomplete.  promelas,     262 

aa.  Body  more  elongate,  depth  about   4.5  in  length;   lateral  line 

complete.  iwtatus,     262 

Pimephales  promelas  Rafmesque.  FATHEAD;  BLACKHEAD  MIN- 
NOW. 

Head  3.6  to  4.0;  depth  3.2  to  4.0;  D.  9;  A.  8;  scales  42  to  48. 

Body  robust;  head  broad  and  short;  snout  blunt;  mouth  small, 
nearly  horizontal  in  males  to  very  oblique  in  females,  the  tip  of  upper 
lip  on  level  with  lower  margin  of  orbit  to  upper  margin  of  pupil ;  max- 
illary reaching  very  little  past  anterior  nostril,  its  length  3.5  to  4.5  in 
head;  jaws  about  equal;  diameter  of  eye  4.1  to  4.8  in  head;  snout 
3.0  to  3.5 ;  teeth  4—4  or  4—5 ;  alimentary  canal  2  to  3  times  the  length 
of  body;  peritoneum  black;  first  dorsal  and  anal  ray  in  males  con- 
nected to  second  by  a  membrane,  not  adnate  to  it  as  is  usual  in  min- 
nows; lateral  line  incomplete;  scales  rather  small,  25  to  30  rows  in  a 
series  in  front  of  dorsal  fin.  * 

Color  dark  olivaceous ;  dorsal  fin  with  a  dusky  bar  across  its  middle, 
more  prominent  in  males;  spring  or  breeding  males  with  head  jet 
black,  and  body  and  fins  dusky. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  about  3  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  ponds  and  sluggish  streams  from  the  Saskatche- 
wan to  New  York  and  south  to  Northern  Mexico. 

Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois;    Willow  Springs,  Illinois. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      263 

Pimephales  notatus   (Rafinesque).     BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOW. 

Head  4.0  to  4.4;  depth  4.3  to  4.8;  D.  8  or  9;  A.  7 ;  scales  41  to  44. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;  head  small,  flat  above;  snout 
blunt,  the  small  mouth  subinferior,  tip  of  upper  lip  on  a  level  with 
inferior  margin  of  orbit;  maxillary  3.8  to  4.3  in  head;  diameter  of 
eye  3.5  to  4.4;  teeth  4-4;  alimentary  canal  about  twice  length  of  the 
body;  peritoneum  black ;  lateral  line  usually  complete;  scales  smaller 
on  anterior  part  of  body,  about  23  in  a  series  before  dorsal  fins. 


FIG.  28.    BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOW. 

Pimephales  notatus  (Raf.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  pale  olivaceous,  sides  with  a  dark  band  from  snout  to  base 
of  caudal;  a  dark  caudal  spot;  dorsal  fin  with  a  dark  blotch  in 'front 
on  first  rays;  breeding  males  darker,  the  head  often  black. 

Length  2  to  3^"  inches. 

This  fish  has  about  the  same  range  as  the  preceding  but  is  usually 
found  in  clear  water.  It  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  minnows  in  the 
Chicago  area. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Bull 
Creek,  Beach,  Illinois;  Pettibone  Creek,  North  Chicago,  Illinois; 
Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des 
Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Thorn  Creek,  Flossmore,  Illinois; 
Chicago  River,  Edgebrook,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois; 
Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois;  Butterfield  Creek,  Elliotts  Park, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox, 
Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana. 


Genus  Opsopoeodus  Hay. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  mouth  very  small,  ter- 
minal; maxillary  protractile;  no  barbels;  teeth  4-5  or  5-5  with  ser- 
rated edges,  tips  hooked;  alimentary  canal  about  length  of  the  body; 
peritoneum  pale;  scales  37  to  42  in  lateral  series. 


264     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Opsopoeodus  emiliae  Hay.     SMALL-MOUTHED  MINNOW. 

Head  4.2  to  4.5;  depth  4.1  to  4.8;  D.  8  or  9;  A.  8;  scales  38  to  40. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  head  small;  mouth  very 
small  and  oblique,  its  gape  making  an  angle  of  about  30  with  vertical ; 
maxillary  3.7  to  4.6  in  head;  snout  3.2  to  3.8;  diameter  of  eye  3.1  to 
3.7;  teeth  5-5  or  4-5,  slender  and  strongly  hooked;  alimentary  canal 
a  little  shorter  than  the  body;  peritoneum  dusky  to  white;  dorsal 
fin  inserted  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal;  lateral  line  in- 
complete; scales  not  smaller  on  anterior  part  of  body,  15  to  18  in  series 
before  dorsal  fin. 


FIG.  29.    SMALL-MOUTHED  MINNOW. 

OpsopTeodus  emiliae  Hay.      (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  light  olivaceous,  scales  conspicuously  dark  edged;  a  dark 
lateral  band ;  no  caudal  spot ;  dorsal  fin  with  one  or  two  dark  blotches, 
most  conspicuous  in  breeding  males,  other  fins  plain. 

Length  about  2^  inches. 

A  small  fish  ranging  from  Mississippi  to  Oklahoma  to  Northern 
Illinois. 

Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana. 


Genus  Noteinigoiius  Rafinesque. 

BREAMS. 

Body  deep,  much  compressed;  edge  of  ventral  surface  in  front  of 
ventral  fins  forming  a  keel  over  which  the  scales  do  not  pass;  pre- 
maxillary  protractile;  mouth  terminal,  oblique;  teeth  5—5,  hooked 
and  with  grinding  surface ;  alimentary  canal  short ;  peritoneum  pale; 
scales  39  to  55;  lateral  line  present,  much  decurved. 

Notemigonus   crysoleucas     (Mitchill).      GOLDEN    SHINER;    ROACH; 

BREAM. 

Head  4  to  4.5;  depth  3.0  (adult)  to  4.5  (young);  D.  8;  A.  n  to 
14;  scales  45  to  52. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      265 

Body  elongate,  much  compressed;  head  small,  subconic;  mouth 
small,  terminal,  oblique,  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level  with  upper  margin 
of  pupil;  maxillary  not  reaching  past  anterior  nostril,  its  length  3.5 
to  3.9  in  head;  snout  3.2  to  4.0;  diameter  of  eye  3.4  to  4.4;  teeth 
4-4  to  5-5;  alimentary  canal  i  to  1.8  times  length  of  body;  perito- 
neum light,  or  slightly  dusky;  lateral  line  complete,  deeply  decurved; 


-*Hg-. 


FIG.  30.    GOLDEN  SHINER;  ROACH. 

Notemigonus  crysoleucas  (Mitch.).      (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

scales  not  smaller  on  anterior  part  of  body,  about  25  to  30  in  front  of 
dorsal  fin. 

Color  greenish  olive ;  sides  silvery  or  with  golden  reflections;  dor- 
sal and  anal  fins  tipped  with  dusky,  young  with  a  dark  lateral  band. 

Length  6  to  12  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Dakotas  to  New  Brunswick,  Florida,  and 
Texas.  It  usually  inhabits  ponds  and  sluggish  streams.  Very 
abundant  in  the  Chicago  area. 

Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River, 
Berwyn,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois;  Willow  Springs,  Illinois; 
Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake 
George,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Buffington,  Indiana;  Calumet  River, 
Clark  Junction,  Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark,  Indiana. 


Genus  Cliola  Girard. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;    mouth  small,  subinferior;    no 
maxillary  barbel;    premaxillary  protractile;    teeth  4-4;    hooked  at 


266     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

tips  and  without  grinding  surface;  alimentary  canal  shorter  than  the 
body;  peritoneum  pale;  scales  42  to  48;  first  dorsal  ray  connected 
to  second  by  a  membrane  as  in  Pimephales,  which  in  general  appear- 
ance it  much  resembles. 

Cliola  vigilax  (Baird  &  Girard).      BULLHEAD    MINNOW;   FLATHEAD. 

Head,  3.7  to  4.1;  depth  4.1  to  4.5;  D.  9;  A.  7;  scales  39  to  44. 

Body  rather  robust;  snout  blunt;  mouth  small,  subinferior,  tip 
of  upper  lip  on  level  with  inferior  margin  of  orbit;  maxillary  not 
reaching  orbit,  its  length  2.9  to  3.6  in  head;  snout  2.9  to  3.3;  diameter 
of  eye  3.2  to  4.0;  teeth  4-4  with  grinding  surface  and  slight  hooks; 
alimentary  canal  about  equal  to  length  of  body;  peritoneum  pale; 


FIG.  31.    BULLHEAD  MINNOW;  FLATHEAD. 

Cliola  vigilax  (Baird  and  Girard).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


lateral  line  complete;  scales  smaller  on  anterior  half  of  body,  21  to 
27  rows  in  a  series  before  dorsal  fin. 

Length  2  or  3  inches. 

Color  dusky  olive  or  yellowish  above;  sides  silvery,  with  a  faint 
suggestion  of  a  dark  lateral  band;  a  small  jet-black  caudal  spot,  and 
a  prominent  black  spot  on  the  anterior  3  or  4  rays  of  the  dorsal  fin; 
spring  males  with  head  leaden  to  blackish,  and  entire  body  more  or 
less  dusky. 

This  fish  inhabits  clear  water,  ranging  from  Iowa  to  Ohio,  Georgia, 
and  Texas. 


Genus  Notropis  Rafinesque. 
SILVERY  MINNOWS. 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  not  much  compressed;  mouth  ter- 
minal oblique  to  nearly  horizontal  and  inferior;  premaxillaries  pro- 
tractile; no  barbels;  teeth  in  one  or  two  rows,  the  main  row  always 
4-4 ;  alimentary  canal  about  the  length  of  the  body,  peritoneum  pale 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      267 

to  dusky;   scales  large,  30  to  40  in  lateral  series;   not  smaller  on  an- 
terior part  of  body. 

a.  Scales  moderate,  fewer  than  40  in  the  lateral  series ;  fewer  than 
20  scales  in  a  series  between  nape  and  dorsal  fin. 

b.  Anal  fin  with  7  to  9  rays;  origin  of  dorsal  fin  near  middle  of  the 
body. 

c.  Scales  on  sides  not  or  scarcely  deeper  than  long. 

d.  Body  subterete,  not  much   compressed;    tip   of  first   ray  of 
dorsal. fin  reaching  past  tip  of  last  ray  when  the  fin  is  deflexed. 

e.  Sides  with  a  distinct  dark  lateral  band  prominent  on  sides  of 
head  and  on  snout;  lateral  line  incomplete. 

f.  Mouth   oblique,  partially  or  entirely  above  lower  margin  of 
black  lateral  band;  origin  of  dorsal  nearer  tip  of  snout  than 
base  of  caudal ;  snout  pointed. 

g.  Mouth  very  oblique,  making  with  the  vertical  an  angle  of  less 
than  40°;    anterior  margin  of  lower  jaw  on  level  with  upper 
border  of  lateral  band.  ano genus,     268 

gg.  Mouth  less  oblique,  the  angle  with  the  vertical  more  than  40°; 

anterior  margin  of  lower  jaw  on  level  with  middle  of  lateral 

band.  heterodon,     268 

ff.    Mouth  nearly  horizontal,  its  gape  wholly  below  lateral  band; 

origin  of  dorsal  fin  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and  base  of 

caudal;  snout  blunt.  cayuga,     269 

ee.   Sides  without  distinct  lateral  band;  lateral  line  complete;  snout 

blunt;  mouth  little  oblique, 
h.     No  dark  spot  at  base  of  caudal ;   1 2  to  1 5  scales  before  dorsal  fin ; 

maxillary  2.8  to  3.7  in  head, 
i.      Interorbital  broad,  2.5  to  2.9  in  head;   12  to  14  scales  before 

dorsal  fin;  maxillary  3.3  to  3.7  in  head.  blennius,     270 

ii.     Interorbital  narrow  3.0  to  3.6  in  head;   13  to  15  scales  before 

dorsal;  maxillary  2.8  to  3.4  in  head.  jejunus,     270 

hh.  A  prominent  dark  spot  at  base  of  caudal;  15  to  1 8  scales  before 

dorsal;   maxillary  3.7  to  4.5  in  head;  interorbital  2.5  to  2.9. 

htidsonius,     271 
dd.  Body  compressed;   tip  of  last  ray  of  dorsal  not  reaching  tip  of 

last  ray  when  the  fin  is  deflexed.  whipplii,     272 

cc.   Scales  on  sides  deeper  than  long.  cornutus,     272 

bb.  Anal  fin.  with  10  to  12  rays;   origin  of  dorsal  fin  much  nearer 

base  of  caudal  than  tip  of  snout, 
j.      Head  short,  4^3  in  length  of  body;  body  slender,  its  depth  $% 

in  length.  atherinoides ,     273 


268    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

jj.     Head  longer,  4  in  length  of  body;  body  deeper,  4%"  in  length. 

rubrifrons,     274 

aa.  Scales  smaller;  40  to  50  in  the  lateral  series,  more  than  20  scales 
in  series  between  nape  and  origin  of  dorsal.          umbratilis,     274 

Notropis  anogenus  Forbes.     LEAST  MINNOW. 

Head  4.3  to  4.5;  depth  4.3  to  4.5;   D.  8;  A.  7 ;   scales  34  to  37. 

Body  elongate,  slightly  compressed;  head  small;  mouth  very 
small  and  very  oblique,  its  gape  making  an  angle  of  20°  to  30°  with 
the  vertical;  maxillary  not  reaching  back  of  posterior  nostril,  its 
length  4.5  to  5.1  in  head;  snout  4.5  to  4.8;  diameter  of  eye  3.1  to  3.3  ; 
teeth  4-4  with  well  developed  grinding  surface,  more  or  less  hooked; 
dorsal  fin  slightly  behind  ventrals,  a  little  nearer  base  of  caudal  than 
tip  of  snout;  alimentary  canal  1.2  to  1.3  times  length  of  body;  peri- 


FIG.  32.    LEAST  MINNOW. 
Notropis  anogenus  Forbes.     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

toneum  dusky;  lateral  line  complete  or  nearly  so;  scales  not  smaller 
on  anterior  portion  of  body,  about  13  or  14  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  dark  olivaceous  above,  silvery  below;  sides  with  a  dark 
lateral  band,  ending  in  a  caudal  spot;  tip  of  lower  jaw  black. 

Length  about  i%  inches. 

A  small  species,  2  or  3  inches  in  length,  ranging  from  Iowa  to  New 
York. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Notropis  heterodon  (Cope).     BLACK-STRIPED  MINNOW. 

Head  3.9  to  4.2;  depth  4.1  to  4.6;  D.  8;  A.  7  or  8;  scales  35  to  38. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  head  small,  conic;  mouth 
terminal,  oblique,  its  gape  making  an  angle  of  40°  to  60°  with  vertical, 
the  tip  of  upper  jaw  on  level  with  upper  margin  of  the  pupil;  max- 
illary scarcely  reaching  front  of  orbit;  its  length  3.6  to  4.0  in  head; 
snout  pointed,  3.5  to  3.8;  diameter  of  eye  2.7  to  3.0;  teeth  i  or  o, 
4-4,  i  or  o,  the  first  three  hooked  and  with  grinding  surface;  ali- 
mentary canal  shorter  than  the  body;  peritoneum  silvery;  dorsal 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      269 

fin  over  ventrals,  its  origin  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal; 
lateral  line  usually  incomplete;  scales  before  dorsal  12  to  14. 

Color  dark  olivaceous  above,  silvery  below;  a  dark  lateral  band 
from  snout  through  eye  to  base  of  caudal ;  margin  of  lower  lip  black. 

Length  2  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  New  York,  Ohio,  and  Kansas. 

Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;   Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana. 


FIG.  33.    BLACK-STRIPED  MINNOW. 

Notropis  heterodon  (Cope).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Notropis  cayuga  Meek.     BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOW. 

Head  3.7  to  4.1 ;  depth  4.5  to  5.2 ;  D.  8;  A.  7  to  8;  scales  34  to  36. 

Body  elongate,  not  much  compressed;  head  rather  large;  snout 
blunt;  mouth  small,  but  little  oblique,  the  tip  of  upper  lip  below  level 
of  lower  margin  of  the  eye;  maxillary  not  reaching  eye,  its  length  4.2 
to  4. 9  in  head;  snout  3.2  to  3.8;  diameter  of  eye  3.1  to  3.5  ;  teeth  4-4, 
hooked,  the  grinding  surface  narrow;  alimentary  canal  i  to  1.2  times 


FIG.  34.    BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOW. 

Notropis  cayuga  Meek.     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

length  of  body;   peritoneum  silvery;   lateral  line  usually  incomplete; 
scales  12  to  15  rows  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  olivaceous,  the  scales  dark  edged;  a  black  lateral  stripe 
from  snout  to  base  of  caudal;  a  faint  caudal  spot;  margin  of  lower 
jaw  without  black. 


270    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

» 

Length  2^  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  sluggish  water  where  there  is  considerable  vege- 
tation, having  about  the  same  range  as  the  preceding. 

Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,. Illinois;  Hickory 
Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Wolf 
Lake,  Roby,  Indiana. 

Notropis  blennius  (Girard).     STRAW-COLORED  MINNOW. 

Head  3.8  to  4.2;  depth  4.2  to  4.8;   D.  8;   A.  7;   scales  32  to  36. 

Body  elongate,  robust;  head  small,  conic;  snout  blunt;  mouth 
small,  slightly  oblique,  the  tip  of  the  upper  lip  on  level  of  lower  mar- 
gin of  pupil  to  lower  margin  of  eye;  maxillary  3.3  to  3.7  in  head; 
snout  3.3  to  3.8;  diameter  of  eye  3.0  to  3.4;  teeth  4-4,  hooked  and 
with  grinding  surface ;  alimentary  canal  about  equal  to  length  of  body; 
peritoneum  white  or  slightly  dusky;  lateral  line  complete;  origin  of 


^^•WsP^^ 


FIG.  35.    STRAW-COLORED  MINNOW. 

Notropis  blennius  (Girard).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

dorsal  over  or  slightly  in  advance  of  ventrals,  about  equidistant  be- 
tween tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal;  scales  before  dorsal  12  to  14. 

Color  light  olive,  paler  below;  a  faint  lateral  band;  caudal  spot 
present  or  indistinct;  lateral  band  not  conspicuous  on  head. 

Length  2l/2  inches. 

This  small  minnow  inhabits  clear  water,  ranging  from  Wyoming 
to  New  York  and  Texas 

Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Des  Plaines  River,  Libertyville,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox, 
Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana; 
Lake  Michigan,  Edgemoor,  Indiana. 

Notropis  jejunus  (Forbes).     SILVERY  MINNOW. 

Head  3.8  to  4.5;  depth  3.8  to  5;  D.  7  or  8;  A.  7;  scales  34  to  37. 
Body  elongate,   compressed;    head  somewhat  depressed;    snout 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      271 

_..     ' 


FIG.  36.   SILVERY  MINNOW. 

Notropis  jejunus  (Forbes).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

blunt  and  rounded;  mouth  rather  large,  slightly  oblique,  the  tip  of 
the  upper  lip  above  the  level  of  the  inferior  margin  of  the  pupil ;  max- 
illary scarcely  reaching  front  of  orbit,  its  length  2.8  to  3.4  in  head; 
snout  3.1  to  3.6;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2,  grinding  surface,  if  present,  narrow 
and  irregular;  alimentary  canal  .9  to  1.2  times  the  length  of  the  body; 
dorsal  fin  almost  directly  over  ventrals,  about  equidistant  between 
the  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal  fin;  lateral  line  complete,  little 
decurved;  scales  on  sides  rather  large,  thin  and  rounded,  13  to  15  in 
series  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  pale,  sides  silvery  with  a  broad  lead-colored  band;  a  ver- 
tebral streak;  no  caudal  spot;  fins  all  plain. 

Length  2  to  2%  inches. 

This  small  species  ranges  from  Winnipeg  to  Kansas  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Notropis  hudsonius  (DeWitt  Clinton).     SPOT-TAILED  MINNOW. 

Head  4.1  to  4.7;   depth  4.0  to  4.5;   D.  8;  A.  8;  scales  36  to  39. 

Body  elongate,  robust,  compressed;  head  short;  mouth  rather 
small,  slightly  oblique,  the  tip  of  upper  lip  below  level  of  lower  margin 
of  pupil ;  maxillary  not  reaching  eye,  its  length  3 . 7  to  4. 5  in  head ;  snout 
bluntish,  its  length  3.2  to  3.5  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  2.8  to  3.5  in 
head;  teeth  variable,  o,  i  or  2,  4-4,  2,  i  or  o,  with  narrow  grinding 
surface,  and  slightly  hooked  tips;  alimentary  canal  i  to  1.4  times 


FIG.  37.    SPOT-TAILED  MINNOW. 

Notropis  hudsonius  (De  W.  Clinton).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


272     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

length  of  body;  peritoneum  silvery;  origin  of  dorsal  slightly  in  ad- 
vance of  ventrals,  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal ;  lateral  line 
usually  complete;  scales  15  or  1 8  in  series  before  dorsal. 

Color  pale  olivaceous,  silvery  below;  a  dark  lateral  band,  usually 
a  large  caudal  spot. 

Length  4  to  6  inches. 

This  fish  occurs  in  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  from  North  Da- 
kota to  Quebec  and  Missouri. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois; 
Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana; 
Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Edgemoor,  Indiana. 

Notropis  whipplii   (Girard).     STEEL-COLORED  MINNOW;    SILVERFIN. 

Head  3.9  to  4.2;  depth  3.6  to  4.4;  D.  8;  A.  8  or  9;  scales  36  to  39. 

Body  elongate,  considerably  compressed;  head  small,  subconic; 
mouth  moderate,  terminal,  oblique,  the  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level  with 
lower  margin  of  the  pupil ;  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  eye ;  its  length 
3.1  to  3.6  in  head;  snout  pointed,  2.8  to  3.2;  diameter  of  eye  3.9  to 
4. 8;  teeth  4-4  or  i,  4-4,  i,  the  edges  crenate;  alimentary  canal  shorter 
than  the  body;  peritoneum  silvery;  origin  of  dorsal  fin  a  little  behind 
ventrals,  a  little  nearer  base  of  caudal  than  tip  of  snout;  14  or  16 
scales  in  series  before  dorsal  fin;  lateral  line  complete,  decurved 
anteriorly. 

Color  olivaceous,  bluish  above  and  on  sides,  silvery  below;  two 
dark  blotches  on  posterior  membranes  of  dorsal  fin.  Breeding  males 
with  tips  of  caudal  and  anal  satin  white;  lower  fins  lemon-yellow. 

Length  3  to  4  inches. 

This  minnow  inhabits  clear  water  from  Minnesota  to  the  St.  Law- 
rence, Virginia,  and  Arkansas. 

Notropis  cornutus  (Mitchill).     COMMON  SHINER. 

Head  3.8  to  4.2;  depth  3.3  to  4.4;  D.8;  A.  gorio;  scales  37  to  40. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  large,  snout  pointed  to  bluntish; 
mouth  large,  oblique,  the  tip  of  upper  lip  above  lower  margin  of  orbit ; 
maxillary  scarcely  reaching  front  of  orbit,  its  length  2.9  to  3.2  in  head  ; 
snout  2.8  to  3.3;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2,  with  narrow  grinding  surface;  ali- 
mentary canal  i.o  to  1.5  times  length  of  the  body;  dorsal  fin  slightly 
in  advance,  of  ventrals  and  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal; 
lateral  line  complete;  scales  on  sides  much  deeper  than  long,  about 
1 6  to  25  in  a  series  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  olivaceous  above,  silvery  below;  a  faint  lateral  band,  no 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      273 


FIG.  38.    COMMON  SHINER. 

Notropis  cornutus  (Mitch.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

caudal  spot.  Breeding  males  have  upper  parts  greenish,  the  sides 
salmon-pink. 

Length  from  5  to  8  inches. 

This  fish  is  abundant  in  clear  water  east  of  the  Rockies,  except 
in  the  Gulf  states. 

Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory 
Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Notropis  atherinoides  Rafinesque.     SHINER. 

Head  4.1  to  4.8;  depth  4.8  to  5.5;  D.  8;  A.  10  or  n;  scales  36 
to  40. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  head  short,  conical;  snout 
pointed;  mouth  large,  terminal,  oblique,  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level  with 
middle  of  pupil;  maxillary  nearly  reaching  orbit,  its  length  3.0  to 
3.4  in  head;  snout  3.3  to  3.6;  diameter  of  eye  3.0  to  3.4;  teeth  i  or 
2,  4-4,  2;  narrow  grinding  surface;  alimentary  canal  shorter  than  the 
body;  dorsal  fin  well  behind  ventrals,  much  nearer  base  of  caudal 
than  tip  of  snout;  18  to  21  scales  in  series  before  dorsal  fin;  lateral 
line  complete. 

Color  olivaceous  green  above,  silvery  on  sides  and  below;  a  faint 
lateral  band;  no  caudal  spot. 

Length  1%  to  4^2  inches. 

This  minnow  inhabits  the  larger  lakes  and  streams  in  the  Great 
Lake  Region,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Valleys. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;   Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago, 


274     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Illinois;    Wolf   Lake,    Roby,   Indiana;     Lake   Michigan,    Edgemoor, 
Indiana. 

Notropis  rubrifrons  (Cope).     ROSY-FACED  MINNOW. 

Head  4.3  to  5.0;  depth  4.8  to  5.8;  D.  8;  A.  9  to  n  ;  scales  36  to  40. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  head  long,  conic;  snout 
pointed;  mouth  large,  oblique,  terminal,  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level 
with  middle  of  upper  margin  of  pupil;  maxillary  reaching  front  of 
orbit,  its  length  2.7  to  3.1  in  head;  snout  3.0  to  3.4;  diameter  of  eye 
3.2  to  3.6;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2,  grinding  surface  slight;  alimentary  canal 
less  than  length  of  the  body ;  peritoneum  silvery  with  brown  specks ; 
dorsal  fin  well  behind  ventrals,  and  nearer  base  of  caudal  than  tip  of 
snout ;  lateral  line  complete ;  1 7  to  2 1  rows  of  scales  in  series  before 
dorsal  fin. 

Color  dark  olive  above,  silvery  below,  a  faint  dark  lateral  band; 
no  caudal  spot. 

Length  2^  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  clear  water,  ranging  from  New  York  to  Michigan 
and  Kansas. 

Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Notropis  umbratilis   (Girard).     REDFIX. 

Head  3.7  to  4.3;  depth  3.2  to  4.2;  D.  8;  A.  10  to  12;  scales  41 
to  48. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  conic;  snout  pointed;  mouth 
moderate,  terminal,  oblique,  tip  of  upper  lip  above  lower  margin  of 
pupil;  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit,  its  length  2.7  to  3.2  in  head; 
snout  2.8  to  3.3;  diameter  of  eye  3.4  to  4.2  in  head;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2, 
with  grinding  surface  on  median  teeth ;  alimentary  canal  shorter  than 


FIG.  39.    REDFIN. 

Notropis  umbratilis  (Girard).      (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      275 

body;  peritoneum  silvery;  dorsal  fin  well  back  of  ventrals,  nearer 
base  of  caudal  than  tip  of  snout;  scales  on  anterior  part  of  body 
reduced  in  size,  26  to  30  in  a  series  in  front  of  dorsal  fin;  lateral  line 
complete,  deeply  decurved. 

Color  dark  purplish  blue  above,  greenish  blue  below,. not  silvery; 
dorsal  fin  with  black  spot  at  its  base  in  front.  Breeding  males  with 
much  red  on  sides  and  on  lower  fins. 

Length  about  3  inches. 

This  minnow  ranges  from  Wisconsin  to  Mississippi  and  Arkansas. 
It  prefers  clear  running  water. 

Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illi- 
nois; Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


Genus  Ericymba  Cope. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;  premaxillary  protractile;  teeth 
4-4  or  i,  4-4,  i,  without  grinding  surface;  hooked  interorbitals,  sub- 
orbitals,  and  dentary  bones  with  greatly  developed  mucous  channels ; 
alimentary  canal  short;  peritoneum  silvery;  lateral  line  complete. 

Ericymba  buccata  Cope.      SILVER-MOUTHED  MINNOW. 

Head  3.5  to  3.7;  depth  4.1  to  5.2;  D.  8;  A.  7  or  8;  scales  32  to  35. 

Body  elongate,  fusiform;  head  long,  snout  blunt;  mouth  small, 
horizontal,  subinferior,  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level  with  lower  margin 
of  orbit;  maxillary  not  reaching  past  anterior  nostril,  its  length  3.5 
to  4.0  in  head;  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  snout  2.6- to  3.0  in  head;  diam- 
eter of  eye  3.3  to  3.6;  teeth  4-4  or  i,  4-4,  i ;  alimentary  canal  about 
as  long  as  the  body;  peritoneum  silvery;  bones  of  lower  part  of  head 
with  well  developed  mucous  channels  appearing  externally  as  vitreous 
streaks,  a  character  peculiar  to  the  genus;  dorsal  fin  over  ventrals, 


FIG.  40.    SILVER-MOUTHED  MINNOW. 

Ericymba  buccata  Cope.      (Prom  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


276     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

slightly  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal ;  lateral  line  complete ; 
13  to  15  scales  in  a  series  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  pale  olivaceous  above,  silvery  below ;  lateral  band  developed 
posteriorly;  no  caudal  spot. 

Length.  3  to  4  inches. 

This  small  minnow  ranges  from  Michigan  to  Florida  and  Kansas 

Kankakee,  Illinois. 


Genus  Pheiiacobius  Cope. 
SUCKER-MOUTHED  MINNOWS. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed,  mouth  inferior,  the  lower  lip 
thin  in  the  middle  and  enlarged  into  a  fleshy  lobe  on  each  side,  upper 
jaw  protractile,  no  barbel;  teeth  4-4,  hooked  and  with  grinding  sur- 
face; intestine  short,  peritoneum  silvery;  dorsal  rays  8,  anal  7,  scales 
45  to  60;  lateral  line  complete. 


FIG.  41.    SUCKER-MOUTHED  MINNOW. 

Phenacobius  mirabilis  (Girard).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Phenacobius  mirabilis  (Girard).     SUCKER-MOUTHED  MINNOW. 

Head  3.9  to  4.5;  depth  4.7  to  5.5;   D.  8;   A.  7 ;  scales  43  to  51. 

Body  moderately  slender;  head  short,  blunt  anteriorly;  mouth 
small ;  inferior  maxillary  not  reaching  eye,  its  length  3.7  to  4.3  in  head; 
upper  jaw  provided  with  a  fleshy  lip  which  is  continuous  on  each  side 
with  the  lower  lip,  forming  rather  prominent  laterally  projecting 
lobes,  these  separated  by  a  frenum;  snout  2.3  to  2.6  in  head;  diameter 
of  eye  3.6  to  4.8;  teeth  hooked,  occasionally  with  narrow  grinding- 
surface;  alimentary  canal  equal  to  length  of  head  and  body;  peri- 
toneum plain  silvery;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  pale  olivaceous ;   a  silvery  lateral  band  ending  in  a  conspic- 
uous caudal  spot;    fins  all  plain. 

Length  3^  inches. 

This  fish  is  found  from  Northern  Illinois  to  Iowa  and  Arkansas. 

Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      277 

Genus  Hybopsis  Agassiz. 

Body  elongate,  robust;  mouth  terminal  or  inferior,  one  or  more 
barbels  on  posterior  end  of  maxillary;  premaxillary  protractile;  teeth 
4-4  or  i,  4-4,  i  or  o,  hooked  and  with  grinding  surface;  alimentary 
canal  short;  peritoneum  pale  dusky  or  black;  scales  35  to  60  in  lateral 
series.  All  of  the  species  of  this  genus  inhabit  clear  running  water. 

a.  Mouth  small,  horizontal  or  nearly  so;   snout  blunt;  margin  of 
upper  lip  on  or  below  level  of  lower  margin  of  orbit;  sides 
silvery. 

b.  Origin  of  dorsal  fin  about  midway  between  base  of  caudal  and 
tip  of  snout;   preorbital  bone  moderate;  head  3.6  to  4.2    in 
length  of  body. 

c.  Scales  moderate,  38  to  47  in  lateral  series;    diameter  of   eye 
3.1  to  3.8;   back  and  sides  with  irregular  dark  blotches. 

dissiwiilis ,     277 

cc.   Scales  larger,  35  to  38  in  lateral  series;  diameter  of  eye  2.8  to 

3.1 ;  sides  silvery,  without  dark  blotches.  amblops,     278 

bb.  Origin  of  dorsal  fin  much  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal ; 

preorbital   bone   large,  silvery;  head  4.3  to  5.3  in  the  body. 

storerianus,     278 

aa.  Mouth  large,  oblique;  snout  pointed;  margin  of  upper  lip  about 
midway  between  lower  margin  of  eye  and  lower  edge  of  cheek ; 
sides  little  or  not  at  all  silvery.  kentuckiensis ,  279 

Hybopsis  dissimilis  (Kirtland).     SPOTTED  SHINER. 

Head  3.9  to  4.2;  depth  4.7  to  5.3;   D.  8;  A.  7;   scales  38  to'45. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  head  long,  flattish  above; 
mouth  small,  horizontal,  inferior,  the  tip  of  upper  lip  below  level  of 


FIG.  42.    SPOTTED  SHINER. 

Hybopsis  dissimilis  (Kirtland).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

lower  margin  of  eye;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  nostril,  its  length 
3.6  to  4.3  in  head ;  maxillary  barbel  less  than  diameter  of  pupil ;  snout 
blunt,  2.4  to  2.7  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  3.1  to  3.8;  teeth  4-4,  with 
narrow  grinding  surface;  alimentary  canal  i  to  1.5  times  length  of 


278     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

body;  peritoneum  black;  dorsal  fin  in  front  of  ventrals,  about  equi- 
distant between  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal;  scales  14  to  17  in 
series  before  dorsal  fin;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  olivaceous,  the  sides  silvery;  a  bluish  lateral  band;  back 
and  sides  with  irregular  dark  blotches. 

Length  3  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Ohio  to  Iowa  and  Arkansas. 

Hybopsis  amblops  (Rafinesque).     BIG-EYED  CHUB;  SILVERY  CHUB. 

Head  3. 6  to  3.9;   depth  4.6  to  5.2;   D.  8;  A.  7;  scales  35  to  38. 

Body  elongate,  rather  robust;  head  broad,  flattened  above;  mouth 
small,  horizontal,  subinferior,  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw  little  in  advance 
of  first  nostril ;  the  tip  of  the  upper  lip  below  the  level  of  lower  margin 


FIG.  43.    BIG-EYED  CHUB;  SILVERY  CHUB. 

Hybopsis  amblops  (Raf.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

of  the  eye ;  maxillary  usually  reaching  vertical  from  front,  of  orbit, 
its  length  3.6  to  4.6  in  the  head;  barbel  small;  snout  blunt,  usually 
overhanging  the  small  mouth,  2.9  to  3.4  in  head;  diameter  of  eye 
2.8  to  3.1  in  head;  teeth  i,  4-4,  i,  hooked  at  tip  and  with  narrow 
grinding  surface ;  alimentary  canal  shorter  than  the  fish ;  peritoneum 
coarsely  specked  with  brown;  dorsal  fin  over  ventrals,  about  equi- 
distant between  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal  fin;  12  to  15  scales 
in  series  between  nape  and  dorsal  fin;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  olivaceous,  silvery;  a  dusky  lateral  band  continued  forward 
through  the  eye  to  end  of  snout;  no  dark  caudal  spot. 

Length  2  to  3  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  New  York  to  Iowa  and  Alabama. 

Hybopsis  storerianus  (Kirtland).     STORER'S  CHUB. 

Head  4.3  to  5.3;  depth  4.3  to  5.3;  D.  8;  A.  7,  8,  or  9;  scales  37 
to  40. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  head  short,  compressed; 
preorbital  bone  especially  prominent;  mouth  small,  inferior,  and  hori- 
zontal, tip  of  upper  lip  far  below  level  of  lower  margin  of  eye;  max- 
illary scarcely  reaching  front  of  orbit,  its  length  3.2  to  3.7  in  head; 
snout  blunt,  2.8  to  3.1 ;  diameter  of  eye  2.9  to  3.4;  teeth  o  or  i,  4-4, 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      279 

i;  alimentary  canal  scarcely  as  long  as  the  body ;  peritoneum  silvery; 
dorsal  fin  a  little  in  advance  of  ventrals,  much  nearer  tip  of  snout  than 
base  of  caudal;  lateral  line  complete;  14  to  16  rows  of  scales  in  series 
before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  light  olivaceous  above,  silvery  below;  an  indistinct  lateral 
band;  no  caudal  spot. 

Length  5  to  6  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  the  larger  streams-  from  Wyoming  to  Ohio 
and  Arkansas. 

Hybopsis.  kentuckiensis  (Rafinesque).     RIVER  CHUB;  HORNY-HEAD. 

Head  3.6  to  3.8;  depth  3.9  to  4.5;   D.  8;   A.  7;  scales  39  to  44. 

Body  elongate,  robust,  little  compressed;  head  conical,  the  top 
convex;  mouth  rather  large,  little  oblique,  the  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level 
with  point  about  midway  between  lower  margin  of  eye  and  chin ;  max- 
illary not  quite  reaching  eye,  3.0  to  3.6  in  head;  snout  bluntish,  2.4 
to  2.9  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4.1  to  5.6 ;  lower  jaw  shorter  than  the 


FIG.  44.    RIVER  CHUB;  HORNY-HEAD. 

Hybopsis  kentuckiensis  (Raf.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

upper;  teeth  4-4,  or  i,  4-4,  i ;  alimentary  canal  i  to  1.4  times  length 
of  the  body;  peritoneum  dusky;  dorsal  fin  inserted  over  ventrals,  and 
a  little  nearer  base  of  caudal  than  tip  of  snout;  lateral  line  complete 
or  nearly  so;  17  to  22  rows  of  scales  in  a  series  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  greenish  olivaceous  above,  lighter  below;  an  indistinct  lat- 
eral band  ending  in  a  dark  caudal  spot,  more  prominent  in  the  young; 
a  pale  reddish  spot  behind  eye. 

Length  6  to  8  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Wyoming  to  Pennsylvania,  and  Alabama. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illi- 
nois; Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox, 
Illinois. 


280     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Genus  Semotilus  Rafinesque. 
FALLFISHES. 

Body  robust;  mouth  terminal;  premaxillary  protractile ;  a  small 
barbel  on  upper  side  of  maxillary  near  its  extremity;  teeth  2,  5-4,  2, 
hooked  and  without  grinding  surface ;  alimentary  canal  less  than  twice 
the  length  of  the  body;  peritoneum  pale;  scales  45  to  60  in  lateral 
series. 

Semotilus  atromaculatus  (Mitchill).     HORNED  DACE;  CREEK  CHUB. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  4.1  to  4.6;   D.  8;  A.  8;  scales  55  to  69. 

Body  elongate,  robust  anteriorly;  head  large,  broadly  rounded 
above;  mouth  large,  terminal,  oblique,  tip  of  upper  lip  on  level  with 


FIG.  45-    HORNED  DACE;  CREEK  CHUB. 

Semotilus  atromaculatus  (Mitch.)-     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

lower  margin  of  pupil;  maxillary  reaching  beyond  anterior  margin 
of  orbit,  its  length  2.9  to  3.4  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4.8  to  7.1  in 
head;'  teeth  variable,  usually  2,  4-5,  2,  the  shorter  row  may  have  o, 
i  or  2,  the  longer  one  4  or  5  teeth;  alimentary  canal  about  length  of 
body;  peritoneum  pale;  lateral  line  complete;  scales  smaller  on  an- 
terior portion  of  body,  about  35  rows  in  a  series  before  dorsal  fin. 

Color  dusky  bluish  above  to  silvery  below;  a  faint  dark  lateral 
band  usually  ending  in  a  dark  caudal  spot ;  dorsal  fin  with  a  distinct 
dark  blotch  at  base  of  first  rays. 

Length  about  6  to  8  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Wyoming  to  Maine,  North  Carolina,  and 
Missouri. 

Bull  Creek,  Zion  City,  Illinois;  Bull  Creek,  Beach,  Illinois;  Petti- 
bone  Creek,  North  Chicago,  Illinois;  Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois;  Thorn 
Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois;  Butterfield  Creek,  Elliotts  Park,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      281 

Genus  Rhiiiichtliys  Agassiz. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;   mouth  small,  inferior,  a  small 
barbel  at  tip  of  maxillary;   premaxillary  not  protractile;  teeth  i  or  2, 
4-4,  i  or  2,  hooked  and  without  grinding  surface;   alimentary  canal 
short;  peritoneum  dusky;  scales  small,  60  to  70  in  lateral  series, 
a.     Snout  long,  projecting  far  beyond  the  inferior  mouth. 

cataracta,     281 

aa.   Snout  shorter,  not  projecting  far  beyond  the  subinferior  mouth. 

atronasus,     281 

Rhinichthys  cataractse  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) .    LONG-NOSED  DACE. 

Head  4.0  to  4.1;  depth  4.8  to  5.2;   D.  8;   A.  7 ;   scales  63  to  70. 

Body  elongate,  scarcely  compressed;  head  long,  the  snout  over- 
hanging the  mouth;  mouth  small,  inferior,  tip  of  the  upper  lip  on 
level  with  point  half  way  between  orbit  and  chin;  maxillary  2.9  to 


FIG.  46.    LONG-NOSED  DACE. 

Rhinichthys  cataractas  (C.  and  V.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

3.1  in  head;  lower  jaw  much  shorter  than  the  upper;  snout  2.2  to 
2.5  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4.8  to  5.6;  teeth  2.4-4.2;  dorsal  fin  be- 
hind ventrals,  much  nearer  base  of  caudal  than  tip  of  snout. 

Color  olivaceous  above,  paler  below;  sides  with  dark  blotches; 
an  indistinct  dark  lateral  band;  a  black  spot  on  opercle. 

Length  about  2%  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Wisconsin  to  New  England  and  Virginia. 

Rhinichthys  atronasus  (Mitchill).     BLACK-NOSED  DACE. 

Head  3.6  to  4.2;  depth  4.5  to  5.0;  D.  8;  A.  7  to  8;  scales  62  to  71. 

Body  elongate,  scarcely  compressed;  head  long,  wider  than  deep; 
mouth  small,  subterminal,  slightly  oblique;  tip  of  upper' lip  on  level 
with  lower  margin  of  orbit ;  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  past  anterior 
nostril,  its  length  3.3  to  4.0  in  head;  snout  long,  2.7  to  3.0  in  head; 
teeth  2,  4-4,  2 ;  dorsal  fin  behind  ventrals,  nearer  base  of  caudal  than 
tip  of  snout;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  dusky  to  blackish  above;   the  back  and  sides  mottled  with 


282     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  47.    BLACK-NOSED  DACE. 

Rhinichthys  atronasus  (Mitch.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

darker;  a  dark  lateral  band  bordered  below  with  a  light  streak;  a 
distinct  blackish  spot  at  base  of  dorsal  behind. 

Length  2  to  3  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  New  England,  Virginia  and 
Alabama. 

Bull  Creek,  Zion  City,  Illinois;  Pettibone  Creek,  North  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois. 


Genus  Cyprinus  (Artedi)  Linnaeus. 
THE  CARPS. 

Body  robust,  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth 
rather  small,  with  4  barbels;  snout  blunt,  rounded;  pharyngeal  teeth 
molar-like,  i,  i,  3-3,  i,  i  in  number;  scales  large;  dorsal  fin  long,  its 
first  rays  forming  a  strong  serrated  spine ;  anal  fin  with  similar  spine ; 
lateral  line  complete. 

Cyprinus  carpio  Linnasus.     CARP;  GERMAN  CARP. 

Head  3  to  4;  depth  2.7  to  3.3;  D.  i,  20;   A.  1.5;  scales  38. 

Body  robust  anteriorly,  more  or  less  compressed;  mouth  terminal, 
slightly  oblique;  interorbital  space  nearly  flat,  2.3  to  2.7  in  head; 
eye  5.5  to  6.8;  snout  2.6  to  3.3;  maxillary  not  reaching  past  anterior 
nostril,  3.3  to  3.9  in  head;  two  pairs  of  maxillary  barbels,  the  upper 
shorter,  the  lower  longer  than  the  eye;  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  a 
strong  posteriorly  serrated  spine;  insertion  of  dorsal  slightly  in  front 
of  ventrals. 

Color  olivaceous,  upper  parts  dusky  to  bluish;  lower  parts  of 
sides  and  belly  more  or  less  yellowish. 

There  are  three  varieties  of  carp.  Those  covered  with  scales  are 
known  as  Scale  Carp,  those  partially  covered  with  scales  are  Mirror 
Carp,  those  without  scales  are  Leather  Carp. 

Length,  2  feet  or  more. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      283 


FIG.  48.    GERMAN  CARP;  LEATHER  CARP. 

Cyprinus  carpio  L.     (After  Goode.) 


An  introduced  species  which  has  become  established  in  many 
streams  of  the  northern  half  of  the  United  States. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Millers, 
Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Pine;  Indiana. 


Genus  Carassius  Nilsson. 

GOLD  FISHES. 

Body  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  varying  greatly;  phar- 
yngeal  teeth  4-4 ;  the  dorsal  region  elevated ;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  first 
rays  spine-like;  the  second  or  third  long  and  serrated  behind;  anal 
short  with  similar  spine;  lateral  line  complete. 

a.     Soft  anal  rays  5  to  6 ;  scales  in  lateral  series  28  to  32. 

carassius,     283 
aa.  Soft  anal  rays  7  to  8;   scales  in  lateral  series  25  to  27. 

auratus,     284 

Carassius  carassius  (Linnaeus).     CRUCIAN  CARP;    GOLD  FISH. 

Head  3;  depth  2%";   D.  in,  18;   A.  m,  5;   scales  28  to  32. 

Body  robust,  covered  with  large  scales;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  with 
strong  spines,  serrated  behind;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  dark  brown,  becoming  golden-yellow  to  silvery  under  do- 
mestication. 

Length  about  12  inches. 


284     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

This  fish  is  generally  distributed  over  central  and  northern  Europe 
and  Siberia.  It  was  introduced  for  aquariums,  and  is  now  thriving 
in  the  lagoons  in  the  parks  of  Chicago. 

Carassius  auratus  (Linnaeus).     GOLD  FISH. 

Head  3X;   depth  1%;   D.  in,  18;   A.  in,  7;   scales  26. 

Body  robust,  compressed;  scales  larger  than  in  preceding  species; 
dorsal  and  anal  each  with  strong  spines,  serrated  behind;  lateral  line 
complete. 

Color  as  in  preceding  species. 

Length  about  10  inches. 

Native  of  China  and  Japan.  Introduced  for  aquariums,  but  it 
is  now  abundant  in  the  lagoons  in  the  parks  in  Chicago.  In  breeding 
many  varieties  have  been  produced. 


Order 

THE  EELS. 

Body  very  elongate;  vertebras  numerous,  the  anterior  ones  dis- 
tinct and  without  Weberian  ossicles ;  ventral  fins  absent ;  fins  without 
spines;  skeleton  bony;  mesocoracoid  absent. 


Family  Anguillidee. 

THE  TRUE  EELS. 

Body  elongate,  snake-like;  covered  with  fine  embedded  scales; 
head  without  scales;  vertebras  numerous,  the  anterior  ones  not  mod- 
ified; fins  without  spines;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  continuous  with  the 
caudal;  tail  isocercal;  gill  openings  small;  mouth  terminal,  the  jaws 
about  equal;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  air  bladder  with 
open  duct. 

Genus  Anguilla  Shaw. 
EELS. 

Body  elongate,  slightly  compressed;  head  large;  mouth  large, 
jaws  about  equal;  dorsal  caudal  and  anal  fins  connected. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      285 

Anguilla  rostrata.    (Le  Sueur).    AMERICAN  EEL;  FRESH-WATER  EEL. 

Head  7  or  8;  depth  12  to  17;   D.  about  60. 

Body  elongate,  subcylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly; 
snout  pointed,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  orbit;  lips  thin;  the  lower 
jaw  the  longer;  gill  membranes  very  broadly  joined  across  isthmus, 
the  gill  openings  small;  scales  minute,  oblong  in  oblique  rows  or 
bunches  each  at  right  angles  with  the  other;  no  ventrals;  lateral  line 
complete. 

Length  3  to  4  feet. 

This  eel  inhabits  the  West  Indies,  and  the  larger  streams  of  North 
America  east  of  the  Rockies. 

Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana;   Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana. 


Order    ISOSpOfldyli, 

HERRING,  SHAD,  AND  SALMON. 

Skeleton  bony;  anterior  vertebrae  simple,  without  Weberian 
ossicles ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  without  spines ;  ventral  fins  abdominal ; 
adipose  fin  present  or  absent ;  pectoral  arch  suspended  from  the  skull ; 
mesocoracoid  developed;  opercle  well  developed ;  maxillary  distinct, 
forming  a  part  of  margin  of  upper  jaw;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth. 

a.  No  adipose  fin;  belly  behind  ventrals,  narrow,  the  scales  not 
passing  over  its  median  line. 

b.  Lateral  line  present,  well  developed.  Hiodontidce ,     285 
bb.  Lateral  line  absent. 

c.  Last   dorsal    ray   much    produced;    mouth  small,   subinferior, 
toothless.  Dorosomidce,     287 

cc.    Last  dorsal  ray  not  produced  beyond  the  others;  mouth  large, 
terminal.  Clupeidoe,     288 

aa.  Adipose  fin  present;  belly  rounded  and  covered  with  scales. 

Salmonidce,     289 


Family   Iliodoiit  i<l;t'. 

THE  MOONEYES. 

Body  deep,  much  compressed,  covered  with  silvery  cycloid  scales; 
head  naked;   jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  and  pterygoids  with  small  cardi- 


286     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

form  teeth;  premaxillary  not  protractile;  no  adipose  fin;  caudal  fin 
forked;  gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus;  gill  rakers  few,  short; 
stomach  horseshoe-shaped,  without  .blind  sac;  pyloric  coeca  i;  air 
bladder  large,  with  open  duct ;  no  oviducts,  the  eggs  falling  into  the 
body  cavity  before  extrusion. 


Genus  Hiodoii  Le  Sueur. 

Body  much  compressed,  the  ventral  surface  reduced  to  a  narrow 
edge  or  keel;  belly  not  serrated;  head  without  scales;  mouth  ter- 
minal, rather  large,  oblique,  and  armed  with  sharp  teeth;  premax- 
illary not  protractile. 

a.     Belly  in  front  of  ventrals  with  a  sharp  edge  over  which  the  scales 
do  not  pass;   dorsal  fin  with  9  developed  rays,      alosoides,     286 
aa.  Belly  in  front  of  ventrals  without  sharp  edge,  the  scales  pass- 
Ing  over  it ;    dorsal  fin  with  1 1  or  12  developed  rays. 

tergisus,     286 

Hiodon  alosoides   (Rafinesque).     NORTHERN  MOONEYE. 

Head  4.5  to  4.9;  depth  3.3  to  3.7;  D.  9;  A.  31;  scales  56  to  58. 

Body  elongate,  much  compressed;  head  rather  small;  mouth 
large,  the  jaws  armed  with  sharp  teeth;  interorbital  space  3.6  to  4.0 
in  head;  diameter  of  eye  3.6  to  4.0;  snout  4.9  to  5.9;  dorsal  fin  in- 
serted behind  front  of  anal ;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  bluish  above;  sides  and  belly  silvery,  with  more  or  less 
golden  lustre  anteriorly  and  bluish  and  pinkish  posteriorly. 

Length  about  12  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  the  Saskatchewan  through  the  Great  Lake 
Region  to  Ohio,  being  most  abundant  in  the  northern  part  of  its 
range. 

Hiodon  tergisus  Le  Sueur.     TOOTHED  HERRING;  MOONEYE. 

Head  4.0  to  4.4;  depth  3.0  to  3.3;  D.  nor  12;  A.  28;  scales  55. 

Body  much  compressed,  mouth  smaller  than  in  preceding  species, 
the  jaws  armed  with  pointed  teeth,  interorbital  space  3.9  to  4.0  in 
head;  diameter  of  eye  2.8  to  3.6;  snout  4.0  to  5.5*;  maxillary  not 
reaching  past  middle  of  orbit,  its  length  2.1  to  2.5  in  head;  dorsal  fin 
inserted  in  front  of  anal;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  pale  olive-buff  above,  with  faint  steel-blue  lustre;  sides 
silvery,  lighter  below. 

Length  10  or  12  inches. 

The  range  of  this  fish  is  much  the  same  as  the  preceding. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      287 


FIG.  49.    TOOTHED  HERRING;  MOONEYE. 

Hiodon  tergisus  Le  Sueur.      (After  Goode.) 


Family  Dorosomidae. 

THE  GIZZARD  SHAD. 

Body  short  and  deep,  much  compressed,  covered  with  thin  cycloid 
scales;  head  without  scales;  belly  sharp  edged,  armed  with  bony 
serrae ;  ventral  fins  abdominal ;  last  ray  of  dorsal  fin  much  prolonged ; 
gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus;  gill  rakers  slender  and  very 
numerous;  adipose  eyelid  present;  mouth  small;  premaxillary  not 
protractile;  maxillary  with  a  supplemental  bone;  jaws  without  teeth, 
stomach  short,  muscular,  like  the  gizzard  of  a  fowl. 


Genus  Dorosoma  Rafinesque. 
GIZZARD  SHAD. 

Body  much  compressed;  head  without  scales ;  no  lateral  line ;  last 
dorsal  ray  produced  into  a  long  filament. 

Dorosoma  cepedianum  (Le  Sueur).     GIZZARD  SHAD;  HICKORY  SHAD. 
Head  3.7  to  4.3;   depth  2.6  to  2.9;   D.  12;   A.  30  or  31;   scales  56 
to  57- 

Body  deep,  much  compressed;  head  deep  posteriorly,  tapering  to 
a  rather  bluntish  snout;  mouth  small,  subinferior,  without  teeth;  in- 
terorbital  space  3.6  to  4.3  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  3.4  to  4.8;  snout 
4.9  to  6.1 ;  dorsal  fin  inserted  about  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and 
base  of  caudal,  the  last  ray  elongated,  its  tip  reaching  past  middle 
of  anal;  lateral  line  absent;  ventral  scutes  19+12  or  13. 


288     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  50.    GIZZARD  SHAD;  HICKORY  SHAD. 

Dorosoma  cepedianum  (Le  Sueur).     (After  Goode.) 

Color  silvery,  bluish  above,  with  reddish  and  brassy  reflections; 
a  large  dark  spot  behind  opercle,  most  conspicuous  in  the  young; 
fins  more  or  less  dusky. 

Length  usually  less  than  12  inches. 

This  species  is  abundant  in  the  lakes  and  sluggish  streams  from  the 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  to  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  southward  to 
Yucatan. 


Family  Clupeidse. 

THE  HERRINGS. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with 
cycloid  scales;  head  naked;  belly  rounded  or  compressed  and  ser- 
rated; no  adipose  fin;  gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus;  gill 
rakers  slender;  mouth  terminal  oblique;  premaxillaries  not  pro- 
tractile; teeth  usually  small  or  wanting;  air  bladder  large,  with  open 
duct. 

Genus  Pomolobus  Rafinesque. 

ALEWIVES. 

Body  rather  elongate,  compressed;  head  pointed,  mouth  terminal, 
teeth  minute;  belly  sharp-edged,  strongly  serrated  before  and  behind 
ventrals;  dorsal  fin  nearly  median,  its  last  ray  not  produced. 

Pomolobus    chrysochloris    Rafinesque.      GOLDEN  SHAD;    SKIPJACK; 
BLUE  HERRING. 
Head  3.7  to  4.3;   depth  3.6  to  4.3;   D.  16;   A.  18;  scales  52  to  54. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      289 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  pointed,  mouth  terminal,  the 
lower  jaw  the  longer;  interorbital  space  5.8  to  6.3  in  head;  diameter 
of  eye  4.5  to  5.9;  snout  4.3  to  5.2;  maxillary  reaching  past  middle  of 
orbit,  its  length  2.2  to  2.4  in  head;  origin  of  dorsal  fin  nearer  tip  of 
snout  than  base  of  caudal,  in  front  of  ventrals;  no  lateral  line;  ven- 
tral scutes  20+13. 

Color  silvery  to  greenish  with  bluish  and  golden  reflections;  back 
light  olive-gray,  sides  light  olive-green,  belly  opaque,  silvery-white. 

Length  about  15  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  Gulf  streams  from  Florida  to  Texas,  ascend- 
ing the  Mississippi  and  its  larger  tributaries  to  Pennsylvania  and 
Kansas. 


Family  Sahnoiiidji'. 

THE  SALMON.  TROUT  AND  WHITEFISHES. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  covered  with  cycloid  scales;  head  naked; 
mouth  terminal,  the  maxillaries  forming  its  lateral  margins;  supple- 
mental maxillary  present;  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  adipose 
fin  present ;  gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus ;  stomach  siphonal ; 
pyloric  cceca  numerous;  air  bladder  large,  with  open  duct;  ova  large, 
falling  into  the  abdominal  cavity  before  exclusion. 

a.  Mouth  not  deeply  cleft,  the  articulation  of  lower  jaws  before  or 
under  the  eye;  teeth  none  or  minute;  scales  moderate,  60  to  95 
in  lateral  series. 

b.  Mouth  small;   premaxillary  broad,  its  cutting  edge  vertical  or 
directed  backward;    lower  jaw  the  shorter;    gill  rakers  on  long 
limb  of  first  arch  fewer  than  30.  Coregonus,     290 

bb.  Mouth  larger;  premaxillary  narrow,  its  cutting  edge  nearly 
horizontal  and  directed  forward;  jaws  equal  or  the  lower  the 
longer;  gill  rakers  on  long  limb  of  first  arch  more  than  35. 

A  rgyrosomus ,     291 

aa.  Mouth  deeply  cleft;  the  articulation  of  the  lower  jaw  behind 
the  eye;  strong  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  and  tongue; 
scales  small,  more  than  100  in  the  lateral  series. 

c.  Vomer  flat,  teeth  on  shaft  in  alternating  rows  or  in  one  zigzag 
row;  body  with  dark  spots.  Salmo,     293 

cc.  Vomer  boat-shaped,  the  shaft  strongly  depressed  and  without 
teeth;  with  white  or  gray  spots.  Cristivomer,  294 


290     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Genus  Coregoiius  (Artedi)  Linnaeus. 
THE  WHITEFISHES. 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  head  small, 
conical,  the  blunt  snout  formed  by  the  broad  premaxillary ;  premax- 
illary  with  cutting  edge  nearly  vertical;  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  jaws 
toothless  or  nearly  so ;  gill  rakers  usually  short ;  caudal  deeply  forked ; 
pyloric  cceca  about  100;  air  bladder  large. 

a.  Body  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  much  elevated;  gill  rakers 
17  to  20  on  lower  limb  of  first  gill  arch;  head  short,  5  to  5.3  in 
body.  albus,  290 

aa.  Body  long,  slender,  the  dorsal  region  little  elevated;  gill  rakers 
ii  or  12  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  head  longer,  3.7  to  4.3  in 
body.  quadrilateralis,  291 

Coregonus  albus  Le  Sueur.     COMMON  WHITEFISH. 
Head  5  to  5.3;  depth  3  to  4;  D.  11 ;  A.  10;  scales  74. 
Body  oblong,  compressed,  the  back  elevated;    head  very  small; 


FIG  51.    COMMON  WHITEFISH. 

Coregonus  albus  Le  Sueur.     (After  Evermann  and  Smith.) 

interorbital  space  3.4  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4  to  5  ;  snout  3.8 ;  max- 
illary reaching  past  front  of  orbit ;  its  length  about  4  in  head ;  lower 
jaw  the  shorter;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  olivaceous  above,  sides  white,  not  silvery;  lower  fins  some- 
times dusky. 

Great  Lakes  and  neighboring  waters. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Pine  and  Mil- 
lers, Indiana. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      291 

Coregpnus  quadrilateralis  Richardson.     MENOMINEE  WHITEFISH. 

Heads;  depth  4. 7;  D.  n;  A.  10;  scales  80  to  90. 

Body  elongate,  not  much  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  little 
elevated;  head  long,  the  snout  compressed  and  bluntly  pointed;  in- 
terorbital  space  3.5  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4.7  to  5.5;  snout  3.8; 
mouth  narrow,  small,  the  maxillary  not  reaching  eye;  gill  rakers 
short  and  stoutish,  7+10  in  number,  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  lateral 
line  complete. 

Color  dark  bluish  above,  silvery  below. 

Length  1 5  inches. 

Lakes  of  New  England,  Great  Lakes  to  the  Yukon. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago. 

Genus  Argyrosomus  Agassiz. 

CISCOES;  LAKE  HERRINGS. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;  head  larger,  the  snout  pointed, 
the  premaxillary  with  its  cutting  edge  nearly  horizontal;  lower  jaw 
the  longer;  jaws  toothless  or  nearly  so;  gill  rakers  long  and  slender; 
about  40  on  the  lower  limb;  caudal  fin  deeply  forked. 

a.  Lower  fins  pale,  or  slightly  tipped  with  darker. 

b.  Eye  large,  its  diameter  not  much  if  any  less  than^the  length 
of  the  snout,  3.5  to  4.5  in  head. 

c.  Maxillary  3.3  to  3.6  in  head;  lower  jaw  projecting  beyond  the 
upper;    gill  rakers  long  and  numerous,  about  47  on  first  arch. 

huronius,     291 

cc.    Maxillary  2.6  to  3.0  in  head,  lower  jaw  scarcely  projecting;  gill 

rakers  39  to  40  on  first  gill  arch.  hoyi,     292 

bb.  Eye  small,  its  diameter  less  than  length  of  snout,  about  5  in 

head;  mandible  half  as  long  as  head.  prognathus,     292 

aa.  Lower  fins  blue  black;   gill  rakers  at  least  50  on  the  first  arch. 

nigripinnis,     293 
Argyrosomus     huronius    Jordan    &    Evermann.      LAKE    HERRING; 

Cisco  AND  BLUEBACK  HERRING  OF  LAKE  MICHIGAN. 
Head  4.1  to  4.5;  depth  4.5  to  5.2;   D.  10;  A.  12;   scales  75  to  90. 
Body  elongate,  not  much  compressed;   head  rather  long  pointed; 
mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  middle  of  the  pupil;  3.2 
to  3.5  in  head;    lower  jaw  the  longer;   mandible  2.1  in  head;    inter- 
orbital  space  3.3  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4.0  to  4.5  ;  snout  3.5  to  4.0; 
gill  rakers  long  and  slender,  15  to  17+28  to  34  on  first  arch;    lateral 
line  complete. 


292     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  52.    CISCOE  AND  BLUEBACK  HERRING  OF  LAKE  MICHIGAN. 

Argyrosomus  huronius  Jord.  and  Ever.     (After  Evermann  and  Smith.) 

Color  bluish  black  or  greenish  above;  sides  silvery;  fins  mostly 
pale,  the  lower  dusky  tinged. 

Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Pine  and 
Millers,  Indiana. 

Argyrosomus  hoyi    Gill.     KIEYE;    CHUB. 

Head  4.5  to  4.8;   depth  4.1  to  4.5;   D.  10;   A.  n;   scales  73  to  80. 

Body  robust,  little  compressed;  head  pointed;  mouth  rather 
large;  the  jaws  about  equal;  maxillary  middle  of  pupil,  2.6  to  3.0  in 
head;  mandible  2.2  in  head;  interorbital  space  3.6  to  4.3;  diameter 
of  eye  4.2  to  4.6;  snout  3.4  to  3.8;  gill  rakers  14+25  or  26  on  first 
arch;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  blue  on  back;  sides  and  ventral  surface  silvery;  dorsal, 
caudal,  and  pectoral  fins  with  some  dark  on  their  margins. 

Length  13  inches. 

Southern  and  western  Lake  Michigan. 

Pine,  Indiana;   Millers,  Indiana. 

Argyrosomus  prognathus  (H.  M.  Smith).     LONGJAW;  BLOATER. 

Head  4.3;  depth  3.5  to  4;  D.  9  or  10;  A.  10  or  12;  scales  75. 

Body  robust,  moderately  compressed;  head  pointed;  mouth 
large,  maxillary  reaching  pupil,  2.5  in  head;  mandible  1.7  to  1.8  in 
head;  lower  jaw  projecting  beyond  the  upper;  interorbital  space  6.8 
in  head;  diameter  of  eye  5;  snout  6.8;  gill  rakers  slender,  about 
15+28  on  first  gill  arch;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  dusky  above,  the  sides  silvery;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  usually 
with  dark  edge. 

Length  15  inches. 

Deep  water  of  Lakes  Ontario,  Huron  and  Michigan. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       293 

Argyrosomus  nigripinnis    Gill.     BLACKFIN. 

Head  4;   depth  4;   D.  12;   A.  12;  scales  73  to  77. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  head  large,  snout  pointed; 
mouth  large;  diameter  of  eye  4. 2;  lower  jaw  slightly  projecting;  gill 
rakers  about  18+30  on  first  gill  arch. 


FIG.  53.    BLACKFIN. 

Argyrosomus  nigripinnis  Gill.     (After  Evermann  and  Smith.) 

Color  bluish  above,  sides  silvery,  with  dark  punctulations ;    fins 
all  blue  black. 

Lake  Michigan  and  some  of  the  lakes  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota. 
Lake  Michigan,  Chicago. 


Genus  Salnio  (Artedi)  Linnaeus. 
THE  TROUT. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  mouth  large;  jaws  with 
teeth;  vomer  flat,  its  shaft  not  depressed;  teeth  on  anterior  part  of 
vomer,  followed  by  a  double  or  irregular  series  of  teeth;  scales  small. 

Salmo  gairdneri    Richardson.     STEELHEAD;    SALMON  TROUT. 

Head  4.5;   depth  4.3;   D.  n;   A.  12;   scales  130  to  180. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  head  short,  slender,  the 
upper  surface  convex;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  middle  of 
eye;  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  teeth  rather  small,  those  on  vomer  in  two 
long  alternating  series;  gill  rakers  short  and  thick,  8  + 12  on  first  arch; 
lateral  line  complete. 

Color  olivaceous  green  above;  sides  silvery;  head,  back,  and  upper 
fins  more  or  less  covered  with  black  spots;  in  the  spring  both  sexes 
usually  have  a  broad  flesh-colored  lateral  band  which  rapidly  fades. 


294     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  54    STEELHEAD;  SALMON  TROUT. 

Salmo  gairdneri  Richardson.     (After  Goode.) 

A  Pacific  Coast  fish  introduced  into  the  Great  Lakes ;  occasionally 
taken  at  Pine  and  Millers,  Indiana. 


Genus  Cristivomer    Gill  &  Jordan. 
LAKE  TROUT. 

Body  moderately  elongate;  mouth  large,  hyoid  with  a  band  of 
strong  teeth;  jaws  with  teeth;  vomer  boat-shaped,  with  a  raised 
crest  behind  its  head  and  free  from  its  shaft;  crest  of  vomer  with 
teeth;  scales  small. 

Cristivomer  namaycush  (Walbaum).LAKE  TROUT ;MACKIN AW  TROUT. 

Head  3.8  to  4.2;  depth  4  to  5.2;   D.  n;  A.  n;  scales  185  to  210. 

Body  elongate,  head  large,  its  upper  surface  flattened;  interorbital 
space  3.2  to  3.9  in  head;  snout  3.2  to  3.5;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary 
reaching  beyond  eye;  its  length  about  half  that  of  head;  teeth  very 
strong;  lateral  line  complete. 

Color  grayish  green  to  brownish,  to  almost  black;  sides  with 
round  pale  spots;  head  usually  vermiculate  above ;  dorsal  and  caudal 
reticulated  with  darker,  the  anal  faintly  so. 

Length  3  feet. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  colder  lakes  and  streams  of  North  America 
from  Alaska,  Northern  Illinois  to  Maine  and  northward. 

Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana;    Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      295 


Order 

~?  " 

PIKE-LIKE  FISHES. 

Skeleton  bony;  anterior  vertebras  distinct;  ventral  fins  abdom- 
inal, rarely  wanting;  all  of  the  fins  of  soft  rays;  no  adipose  fin;  pec- 
toral arch  suspended  from  the  skull;  mesocoracoid  wanting;  oper- 
cular  bones  well  developed ;  air  bladder  with  a  distinct  duct. 

a.  Lateral    line    present;    jaws    long   and   with  large  canine-like 
teeth.  Esocida,     295 

aa.   Lateral  line  wanting ;  jaws  without  canine-like  teeth. 

b.  Upper  jaw  not  protractile.  Umbridcz,     297 
bb.  Upper  jaw  protractile.                                               Pceciliidoe,     298 


Family  Esocidse. 
THE  PIKES. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed  posteriorly;  scales  small, 
cycloid;  top  of  head  naked,  its  sides  partly  scaled;  ventral  fins  ab- 
dominal; mouth  large;  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  jaws,  vomer, 
palatines,  and  tongue  with  teeth;  stomach  not  ccecal;  no  pyloric 
cceca;  air  bladder  simple,  with  distinct  duct. 

Genus  Esox  (Artedij   Linnaeus. 
THE  PIKES. 

Body  very  elongate ;  head  depressed ;  lateral  line  present ;  branch- 
iostegals  12  to  20;  gill  rakers  short,  toothed;  gill  membranes  sepa- 
rate; most  of  margin  of  the  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  maxillary; 
supplemental  maxillary  present;  some  of  the  teeth  on  jaws  and  vomer 
large  and  canine-like,  a  few  being  hinged;  dorsal  fin  above  anal,  on 
posterior  part  of  the  body. 

a.  Cheeks  and  opercles  entirely  scaly;  branchiostegals  n  or  12; 
dorsal  rays  12 ;  fewer  than  no  scales  in  the  lateral  series. 

vermiculatus ,     296 

aa.  Cheeks  entirely  scaly;  lower  half  of  opercle  without  scales; 
branchiostegals  14  to  1 6 ;  dorsal  rays  1 4  to  1 6 ;  about  125  scales 
in  the  lateral  series.  lucius,  296 


296     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

aaa. Lower  half  of  cheeks  and  opercles  without  scales;  branch- 
iostegals  17  to  19;  dorsal  rays  17;  about  150  scales  in  the  lateral 
series.  masquinongy ,  297 

Esox  vermiculatus  Le  Sueur.     LITTLE  PICKEREL;  GRASS  PIKE. 

Head  3.0  to  3.4;  depth  5.2  to  6.7;  D.  12;  A.  12;  scales  103  to  1 08. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  head  depressed;  inter- 
orbital  concave;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  anterior 
margin  of  eye,  its  length  2.0  to  2.4  in  head;  snout  2.4  to  2.7  ;  eye  situ- 
ated in  middle  of  the  head,  its  diameter  5.5  to  6.8;  branchiostegals  n 
or  12;  cheeks  and  opercles  with  scales;  depth  of  caudal  peduncle  2.0 
to  2.6  in  head;  caudal  fin  forked. 

Color  grayish  green  with  darker  streaks  and  reticulations  on  sides, 
lighter  below;  a  dusky  streak  from  eye  across  cheek  and  opercle,  and 
one  below  eye;  caudal  fin  mottled  near  base ;  other  fins  plain,  dusky. 

Length  12  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  ponds,  lakes,  and  sluggish  streams,  whose  veg- 
etation is  plentiful,  from  Wisconsin  to  Ohio,  Mississippi,  and  Arkansas. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Bull 
Creek,  Beach,  Illinois;  Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois;  Lagoon,  Jackson 
Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Salt 
Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Wolf 
Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake  George,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Buffington, 
Indiana;  Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark,  Indiana. 

Esox  lucius  Linnaeus.     COMMON  PIKE;   PICKEREL. 

Head  2.9  to  3.6;  depth  5.0  to  7.0;  D.  i5ori6;  A.  14  or  15;  scales 
122  to  125. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  mouth  very  large,  the  maxillary 
reaching  past  orbit,  its  length  2.0  to  2.2  in  head;  snout  1.9  to  2.4; 
eye  in  middle  of  head,  its  diameter  5.8  to  9.5;  branchiostegals  14  to 
16;  cheeks  with  scales;  lower  half  of  opercle  without  scales;  depth 
of  caudal  peduncle  1.7  to  2.2;  caudal  fin  forked. 

Color  of  back  and  sides  bluish  or  greenish  gray,  yellowish  below 
and  white  on  ventral  surface;  sides  with  irregular,  light  colored 
spots;  dorsal,  caudal,  and  anal  fins  with  roundish  black  spots;  ven- 
trals  with  faint  traces  of  spots;  pectorals  plain. 

Length  3  feet. 

This  species  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  of  Northern 
Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;    Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois; 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      297 

Des  Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illinois;   Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois; 
Calumet  River,  Clark,  Indiana. 

Esox  masquinongy  Mitchill.     MUSKALONGE. 

Head  3.6  to  4.0;  depth  6;  D.  17  to  18;  A.  15  to  17;  scales  150. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  mouth  very  large,  maxillary  reaching 
past  eye,  it's  length  2  in  head;  snout  2.2 ;  diameter  of  eye  10.6 ;  branch- 
iostegals  17  or  18;  lower  half  of  cheeks  and  opercles  without  scales; 
caudal  fin  forked. 

Color  dark-gray,  sides  with  round  dark  spots,  the  young  with  bars ; 
fins  with  black  spots. 

Length  3  to  6  feet,  reaching  a  weight  of  100  pounds. 

This  species  inhabits  the  large  lakes  and  streams  of  the  Great 
Lake  region  and  Upper  Mississippi  Valley. 

Lake  Michigan,  Edgemoor,  Indiana. 


Family  Umbridse. 
THE  MUDFISHES. 

Body  elongate,  subcylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly; 
head  and  body  covered  with  cycloid  scales;  ventral  fins  abdominal; 
dorsal  fin  posterior,  above  anal;  mouth  rather  small,  premaxillary 
not  protractile;  lower  jaw,  votner,  and  palatines  with  bands  of  villi- 
form  teeth;  stomach  without  blind  sac;  air  bladder  simple,  with 
distinct  duct;  no  lateral  line. 


Genus  Umbra  (Kramer)  Miiller. 

Body  elongate,  top  of  head  flat,  lateral  line  wanting;  branchios- 
tegals  6  to  8;  gill  rakers  little  developed;  gill  membranes  little  con- 
nected; lateral  margin  of  the  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  maxillaries; 
supplemental  maxillary  absent. 

Umbra  limi   (Kirtland).     MUD  MINNOW. 

Head  3.3  to  3.8;  depth  3.9  to  5.3;  D.  14  or  15;  A.  8  or  9;  scales  35. 

Body  elongate;  compressed  posteriorly;  head  flat,  covered  with 
scales,  those  on  opercles  large  and  imbedded;  mouth  rather  large,  the 
maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  eye;  interorbital  space  flat  or  flattish 
4.3  to  5.4  in  head;  eye  3.8  to  5.2  ;  snout  2.8  to  3.5;  dorsal  fin  inserted 
behind  ventrals  and  on  posterior  half  of  body,  its  distance  from  tip 


298     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

of  snout  1.3  to  1.8  in  body;  pectorals  broad,  1.6  to  2.0  in  head;  ven- 
trals  small;  caudal  peduncle  deep,  1.3  to  1.6  in  its  length;  caudal 
fin  rounded. 

Color  of  upper  parts  dull  brownish  olive  mottled  with  black;  sides 
with  about  14  indefinite  narrow  transverse  bars  of  dark  color,  the 
interspaces  bluish  forward;  breast,  belly,  and  under  sides  of  head 


FIG.  55.    MUD  MINNOW. 

Umbra  limi  (Kirtland).      (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

yellowish;  a  large  black  blotch-like  bar  at  end  of  caudal  peduncle; 
a  black  stripe  across  cheek  and  through  the  eye  to  the  snout;  fins 
plain  olive-green. 

Length  4  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  muddy  ponds  and  streams  from  Minnesota  to 
Quebec  and  the  Ohio  River. 

Artesian  Overflow,  Beach,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn, 
Illinois;  Lagoon,  South  Chicago,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois; 
Willow  Springs,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Lagoon, 
Buffington,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Clark  Junction,  Indiana;  Lagoon, 
Edgemoor,  Indiana. 

Family  Poeciliiclse 

THE  KILLIFISHES. 

Body  elongate,  the  head  depressed,  the  posterior  half  compressed; 
scales  large,  cycloid ;  head  scaly;  mouth  small,  terminal,  the  premax- 
illary  extremely  protractile;  fins  without  spines;  caudal  fin  not  forked; 
gill  membranes  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus;  branchiostegals 
4  to  6;  gill  rakers  short;  dorsal  fin  single,  on  posterior  half  of  body; 
ventral  fins  abdominal;  stomach  siphonal,  without  pyloric  append- 
ages; air  bladder  simple,  often  wanting;  some  species  ovoviviparous ; 
size  small. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      299 

Genus  Fimdulus  Lacepede. 
KILL.IFISHES. 

Body  rather  elongate,  little  elevated,  compressed  posteriorly; 
head  broad  flat  above,  scaly;  mouth  moderate,  lower  jaw  projecting; 
jaws  each  with  two  or  more  series  of  pointed  teeth;  dorsal  and  anal 
fins  similar  in  size;  scales  large. 

a."    Dorsal  fin  long,  its  rays  13  or  14;  scales  small,  43  to  45  in  lateral 
series;   color  olivaceous  with  numerous  dusky  crossbars. 

menona,     299 
aa.  Dorsal  fin  short,  its  rays  7  to  9;  scales  larger,  28  to  36  in  lateral 

series. 

b.     Sides  with  numerous  lengthwise  streaks  in  female,  the  male 

with  dark  crossbars.  dispar,     299 

bb.  Sides  with  a  single  black  band  from  head  to  tail;   males  with 

obscure  crossbars.  notatus,     300 

Fundulus  diaphanus  menona  (Jordan  &  Copeland) .     MENONA    TOP 

MINNOW. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  4.5  to  5.3;  D.  13  or  14;  A.  n;  scales  43 
to  45. 

Body  rather  slender,  not  much  compressed;  head  flat  above; 
mouth  small,  maxillary  3.6  to  4.0  in  head;  lower  jaw  slightly  pro- 
jecting; diameter  of  eye  3.0  to  3.5  in  head;  snout  2.9  to  3.7  in  head; 
teeth  in  jaws,  curved,  the  outer  ones  scarcely  enlarged;  dorsal  in- 
serted in  front  of  ventrals;  caudal  fin  rounded;  cheeks  and  opercles 
covered  with  large  scales. 

Color  of  males  light  olivaceous,  spotted  with  dusky  on  back  and 
sides;  15  to  20  dark  transverse  bars  on  each  side,  broader  than  the 
silvery  interspaces;  females  with  dark  bars  shorter  and  narrower,  the 
interspaces  wider  than  the  bars. 

Length  3  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  small  streams  and  lakes  with  clear  water  from 
Wisconsin  and  Illinois  to  Maine. 

Des  Plaines  River,  Libertyville,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  In- 
diana; Lake  George,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Whiting,  Indiana. 

Fundulus  dispar  (Agassiz). 

Head  3.5  to  4.3;  depth  3.5  to  4.3;  0.7;  A.  gorio;  scales  34  to  36. 

Body  elongate,  rather  robust;  head  flat  above;  mouth  small,  the 
lower  jaw  scarcely  projecting;  maxillary  2.8  to  3.3  in  head;  diameter 


300     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

of  eye  2.8  to  3.4;  snout  2.8  to  3.7;  teeth  in  jaws  pointed,  rather 
weak;  dorsal  fin  inserted  behind  ventrals;  caudal  fin  rounded;  cheeks 
and  opercles  covered  with  large  scales. 

Color  light-olive,  the  males  with  about  10  narrow  dusky  trans- 
verse bars,  females  with  9  or  10  brown  wavy  longitudinal  lines; 
adults  of  both  sexes  with  a  triangular  bluish  blotch  below  the  eye. 

Length  2^  inches. 

This  small  fish  inhabits  quiet  waters  from  Northern  Illinois  to 
Ohio  and  Mississippi. 

Fox  Lake,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Edge- 
moor,  Indiana. 

Fundulus  notatus   (Rafinesque).     TOP  MINNOW. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  4.4  to  5.3;   D.  9;   A.  n;  scales  33  to  34. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  much  depressed; 
mouth  moderate;  maxillary  2.8  to  3.3  in  head;  upper  jaw  slighty 
the  longer;  diameter  of  eye  3.3  to  3.9;  snout  2.8  to  3.4;  teeth  in  a 


FIG.  56.    TOP  MINNOW. 

Fundulus  notatus  (Raf.)     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

broad  band,  the  outer  series  considerably  enlarged;  dorsal  inserted 
behind  ventrals;  caudal  fin  rounded;  cheeks  and  opercles  covered 
with  large  scales. 

Color  brownish  olive  with  a  dark  lateral  band,  which  in  males  is 
crossed  with  16  or  17  obscure  dusky  bars;  vertical  fins  more  or  less 
speckled  with  dusky. 

Length  2^  to  3  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Iowa  to  Michigan,  Alabama,  and  Texas. 
It  usually  swims  near  the  surface  in  quiet  clear  waters. 

Fox  River,  Illinois;  Chicago,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      301 


Order  Acanthopteri. 

THE  SPINY-RAYED  FISHES. 

Skeleton  bony;  the  anterior  vertebrae  not  modified;  anterior  rays 
of  dorsal  and  anal  fin  usually  spinous ;  opercular  apparatus  complete ; 
border  of  the  mouth  formed  by  premaxillaries ;  maxillary  present, 
and  without  teeth ;  ventral  fins  usually  thoracic  and  usually  formed  of 
i  spine  and  5  soft  rays;  air  bladder  present,  without  duct  in  the  adult; 
scales  when  present  usually  ctenoid. 

a.  Ventral  fins  abdominal. 

b.  Dorsal  fin  single  preceded  by  4  or  more   spines,  not  connected 
by  a  membrane;  no  adipose  fin.  G aster osteida,     302 

bb.  Dorsal  fins  2 ;  spines  connected  by  a  membrane. 

c.  Anterior  dorsal   composed  of  one  weak  spine  and  soft  rays; 
the  second  dorsal  adipose.  Percopsidce,     303 

cc.  Anterior  dorsal  composed  of  3  to  8  slender  spines  connected 
by  a  membrane ;  the  posterior  fin  composed  of  soft  rays. 

AtherinidcB,     304 
aa.  Ventral  fins  thoracic. 

d.  Ventral  rays  of  one  spine  and  6  or  7  soft  rays;  vent  near  the 
throat.  Aphredoderidce,     305 

dd.  Ventral  rays  of  one  spine  and  3  to  5  soft  rays;  vent  near  anal 
fin. 

e.  Chin  without  a  barbel;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  of  less  than  30  soft 
rays;  caudal  fin  homocercal. 

f.  Body  more  or  less  covered  by  typical  scales. 

g.  Lateral  line  not  extending  on  rays  of  caudal  fin;    jaws  with 
teeth. 

h.  Dorsal  fin  with  spinous  portion  confluent  with  soft  portion,  or 
separated  by  a  deep  notch  in  which  case  the  longest  dorsal 
spine  is  but  little  more  than  %  length  of  longest  soft  ray. 

Centrar  chides,     306 

hh.  Dorsal  fins  with  spinous  and  soft  portions  separate,  or  if  slightly 
confluent  the  longest  dorsal  spine  is  longer  than  longest  soft  ray. 
Anal  fin  with  i  or  2  spines.  Percidce,  317 

Anal  fin  with  3  spines.  Serranida,     332 

gg.  Lateral  line  extending  on  rays  of  caudal  fin;  jaws  without 
teeth.  Sci&nidce,  334 


302     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

ff .    Body  naked  or  variously  armed  with  prickles  or  bony  plates. 

Cottida,     335 

ee.    Chin  with  a  barbel;   dorsal  and  anal  fins  with  more  than  30 
rays;  caudal  fin  isocercal.  Gadida,     338 


Family  (irasterosteidre. 

THE  STICKLEBACKS. 

Body  fusiform  tapering  to  a  slender  caudal  peduncle;  skin  naked 
or  with  bony  plates ;  middle  and  sides  of  belly  shielded  by  the  pubic 
bones;  mouth  large,  the  cleft  oblique;  jaws  with  villiform  teeth; 
dorsal  fins  with  the  spines  not  connected  by  a  membrane;  ventrals 
abdominal,  composed  of  a  stout  spine  and  a  rudimentary  ray;  pyloric 
cceca  few  in  number;  air  bladder  simple. 

a.     Dorsal  spines  4  or  5,  in  a  straight  line;   tail  deeper  than  broad, 

without  keel.  Eucalia,     302 

aa.  Dorsal  spines  8  to  n,  not  in  a  straight  line;  tail  not  deeper  than 

broad,  with  a  lateral  keel.  Pygosteus,     303 

'   ^ 
Genus  Eucalia  Jordan. 

Body  elongate,  fusiform;  skin  without  bony  plates,  dorsal  spines 
6  or  fewer,  in  a  straight  line ;  tail  deeper  than  broad,  and  without  keel ; 
pubic  bones  united  forming  a  lanceolate  plate  with  a  single  strong 
median  keel. 

Eucalia  inconstans   (Kirtland).     BROOK  STICKLEBACK. 

Head  3.2  to  3.8;  depth  3.8  to  4.4;  D.  iv  to  vi,  9  or  10;  A.  i,  9 
or  10. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  caudal  peduncle  not 
keeled;,  mouth  small  and  very  oblique,  the  maxillary  not  reaching  the 


FIG.  57.    BROOK  STICKLEBACK. 

Eucalia  inconstans  (Kirtland).      (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      303 

orbit;  snout  4.0  to  5.0  in  head;  eye  3.2  to  3.4;  caudal  fin  truncate  or 
slightly  emarginate. 

Color  olivaceous  with  faint  lighter  mottlings;  lower  parts  silvery; 
spring  males  black  with  some  red  anteriorly. 

Length  2^  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  small  streams  and  brooks  from  New  York  to 
Iowa  and  the  Saskatchewan. 


Genus  Pygosteus  Brevoort. 
NINE-SPINED  STICKLEBACKS. 

Body  elongate;  no  scales;  skin  with  bony  plates  along  bases  of 
dorsal  and  anal  and  on  caudal  keel;  dorsal  spines  8  or  more;  tail 
broader  than  deep,  keeled;  pubic  bones  weak,  forming  an  elongate 
plate  with  a  median  longitudinal  groove. 

Pygosteus  pungitius   (Linnaeus).     NINE-SPINED  STICKLEBACK. 

Head  3.3  to  3.7;  depth  5.1  to  5.6;  D.  ix  or  x,  9  or  10;    A.  i,  8. 

Body  elongate,  slender;  caudal  peduncle  with  a  lateral  bony  keel; 
mouth  larger  and  less  oblique,  the  maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  orbit; 
snout  3.3  to  3.8  in  head;  eye  3;  caudal  fin  rounded  or  pointed. 

Color  olivaceous  above,  with  small  spots  and  irregularly  barred 
with  darker;  silvery  below. 

Length  3  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  northern  Europe  and  northern  North  America. 


Family  Percopsidse. 

THE  TROUT  PERCHES. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  caudal  peduncle  long  and 
slender;  scales  strongly  ctenoid;  head  without  scales;  lateral  line 
present;  anterior  vertebras  simple;  ventral  fins  abdominal,  of  one 
spine  and  about  8  soft  rays;  anal  with  i  or  2  spines;  an  adipose  fin 
present;  gill  membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  premax- 
illaries  not  protractile;  stomach  siphonal,  with  about  10  well  devel- 
oped pyloric  cceca;  air  bladder  with  an  open  duct;  ova  large  not 
falling  into  the  abdominal  cavity  before  extrusion. 

Genus  Percopsis  Agassiz. 

Body  elongate;  dorsal  spines  weak;  body  quite  translucent; 
preopercle  not  distinctly  serrate;  teeth  present  on  jaws,  small,  villi- 
form. 


304     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Percopsis  guttatus  Agassiz.     TROUT  PERCH. 

Head  3.2  to  3.7;  depth  3.9  to  4.5;  D.  i  or  n,  9  to  n;  A.  i,  5  to  7; 
scales  47  to  54. 

Body  elongate;  not  much  compressed;  mouth  rather  small,  sub- 
inferior;  maxillary  not  reaching  orbit,  its  length  3.0  to  4.0  in  head; 
snout  2.4  to  3.0;  eye  3.5  to  4.0;  dorsal  fin  inserted  much  nearer  tip 


FIG.  58.    TROUT  PERCH. 

Percopsis  guttatus  Agassiz.     (After  Jordan  and  Evermann.) 

of  snout  than  base  of  caudal,  nearly  over  ventrals;  scales  strongly 
ctenoid;  caudal  fin  deeply  forked. 

Color  pale  olive-buff  above;  silvery  below;  scales  faintly  edged 
with  black;  8  to  12  black  spots  on  sides  above  lateral  line;  a  dusky 
median  lateral  band. 

Length  6  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan to  Hudson  Bay,  Delaware,  and  Ohio  River. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;    Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana. 


Family  Atlierinidse. 

THE  SILVERSIDES. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  scales  usually  cycloid; 
head  usually  with  scales;  lateral  line  absent  or  imperfect;  ventral 
fins  abdominal;  two  dorsal  fins,  the  anterior  consisting  of  3  to  8  slender 
spines,  the  posterior  of  soft  rays;  anal  fin  with  one  weak  spine;  gill 
membranes  not  connected,  free  from  isthmus;  teeth  usually  present 
on  jaws;  no  pyloric  cceca;  air  bladder  present. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      305 

Genus  Labidesthes  Cope. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  oblong;  mouth  small,  oblique, 
the  cleft  curved,  the  jaws  prolonged  into  a  short  depressed  beak; 
lower  jaw  the  longer;  premaxillaries  protractile;  scales  cycloid. 

Labidesthes  sicculus  (Cope).     BROOK  SILVERSIDE 

Head  4.1  to  4.6;  depth  6  to  8;  D.  iv-i,  9  to  n;  A.  i,  21  to  24; 
scales  75  to  79. 

Body  elongate,  very  slender;  head  long  and  pointed;  snout  long 
and  slender,  the  jaws  prolonged  into  a  short  depressed  beak;  its 
length  nearly  twice  diameter  of  eye;  eye  3.5  to  4.0  in  head;  jaws 


FIG.  59.    BROOK  SILVERSIDE. 

Labidesthes  sicculus  (Cope).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

equal,  edge  of  the  upper  strongly  curved;  cheeks  and  opercles 
with  scales ;  ventrals  abdominal ;  caudal  fin  forked ;  lateral  line  repre- 
sented on  a  few  scales  only. 

Color  pale  olive-green,  translucent;  a  distinct  silvery  lateral  band, 
bounded  above  by  a  dark  line;  back  dotted  with  black. 

Length  3  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Iowa  to  New  York,  Florida,  and  Texas. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,.  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake 
George,  Indiana. 

Family  Aphredoderidee. 

THE  PIRATE    PERCHES. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  dorsal  region  elevated; 
caudal  peduncle  thick;  body  and  sides  of  head  with  strongly  ctenoid 
scales;  ventral  fins  thoracic,  with  a  small  spine  and  more  than  5  soft 
rays;  dorsal  fin  single,  with  3  or  4  small  spines;  anal  fin  with  2  slender 
spines;  gill  membranes  slightly  joined  to  isthmus;  gill  rakers  short 
and  thick,  toothed;  preopercle  and  preorbital  sharply  serrate;  opercle 
with  a  spine;  air  bladder  simple,  duct  not  evident;  pyloric  cceca 
about  12. 


306     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Genus  Aphredoderus  Le  Sueur. 

Body  elongate;  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  terminal  somewhat 
oblique ;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  and  ptery- 
goids;  alimentary  canal  ending  in  adult  at  the  throat,  the  vent  more 
posterior  in  the  young,  moving  forward  from  just  behind  ventral  fins. 

Aphredoderus  sayanus   (Gilliams).     PIRATE  PERCH. 

Head  2.3  to  3.2;  depth  3.1  to  3.5;,  D.  in,  9  to  12;  A.  n,  6;  scales 
49  to  59. 

Body  elongate,  robust,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  head  broad, 
depressed,  the  profile  concave;  mouth  moderate,  oblique,  maxillary 
nearly  reaching  front  of  orbit,  its  length  2.7  to  2.9  in  head;  lower  jaw 
projecting;  snout  2.8  to  3.4  in  head;  eye  3.5  to  4.3;  dorsal  fin  nearer 
tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  slightly  forked;  ventral 
fins  jugular  in  adult;  lateral  fins  developed  anteriorly;  cheeks  and 
opercles  with  scales.  . 

Color  dark  olivaceous  to  nearly  black,  with  bluish  tinge,  speckled 
with  black;  breast  and  belly  yellowish;  two  blackish  bars  at  base 
of  caudal. 

Length  2  to  4  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  lowland  streams  and  ponds  from  Wisconsin  to 
New  York  and  Texas. 

Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois. 


Family  Centrarchidse. 

THE  SUNFISHES. 

Body  oval  or  ovate,  compressed;  anterior  portion  of  dorsal  fin  of 
5  to  13  spines;  longest  dorsal  spine  about  Y$  length  of  longest 
dorsal  ray;  body  with  weakly  or  scarcely  ctenoid  scales;  sides  of 
head  with  scales;  mouth  moderate  or  large;  teeth  in  bands  on  jaws, 
vomer,  usually  also  on  palatines  and  tongue;  no  canine-like  teeth; 
branchiostegals  6  or  rarely  7 ;  opercle  ending  in  two  flat  points,  or 
prolonged  backward  in  a  black  or  partially  black  flap ;  gill  membranes 
separate  from  the  isthmus;  premaxillaries  protractile;  pyloric  coeca 
5  to  10 ;  air  bladder  without  duct;  ventral  fins  thoracic;  caudal  fin 
emarginate  or  slightly  forked;  lateral  line  present. 

a.  Anal  fin  more  than  half  length  of  dorsal,  with  5  to  8  spines. 

b.  Dorsal  fin  with  less  than  10  spines,  usually  5  to  8.  Pomoxis,     307 


APRIL,  IQIO.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      307 

bb.  Dorsal  fin  with  more  than  ic  spines,  usually  n. 

Ambloplites,     309 
aa.  Anal  fin  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  dorsal,  with  3  spines. 

c.  Body  short  and  deep,  its  depth  about  2/5  its  length;  dorsal  fin 
not  deeply  divided;   opercle  prolonged  in  a  bony  process  or 
flap ;  its  posterior  margin  rounded. 

d.  Mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  past   the   pupil;    supple- 
mental maxillary  large,  its  length  nearly  equal  to  diameter  of 
eye;   tongue  and  pterygoids  with  teeth.          Ch&nobryttus ,     310 

dd.  Mouth  smaller,  the  maxillary  not  reaching  past  pupil;  supple- 
mental maxillary  small  or  wanting,  its  length  never  equal  to 
diameter  of  eye;  no  teeth  on  tongue  or  pterygoids. 

e.  Opercular  flap  without  roundish  red  spot  on  its  lower  posterior 
angle;    pectorals  not  reaching  beyond  vertical  from  first  anal 
spine ;  lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  with  pointed  teeth. 

Lepomis,     311 

ee.  Opercular  flap  with  a  roundish  red  spot  on  its  lower  posterior 
angle;  pectorals  reaching  past  first  anal  spine;  lower  phar- 
yngeals broad,  with  bluntly  rounded  or  paved  teeth. 

Eupomotis,     314 

cc.  Body  elongate,  its  depth  about  %  its  length;  dorsal  fin  deeply 
divided;  opercle  prolonged,  ending  in  two  points;  mouth 
large,  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  orbit. 

Micropterus,     315 

Genus  Pomoxis  Rafinesque. 
CRAPPIES. 

Body  much  compressed;  dorsal  region  moderately  elevated; 
mouth  large,  its  gape  extending  to  or  beyond  pupil;  maxillary  with 
a  well  developed  supplemental  bone;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines, 
tongue,  and  pterygoids;  opercle  rounded;  base  of  anal  fin  i  to  1.4  in 
base  of  dorsal;  anal  spines  5  to  8;  dorsal  spines  fewer  than  10; 
preopercle  and  preorbital  finely  serrate;  scales  scarcely  ctenoid; 
caudal  fin  emarginate. 

a.  Dorsal  spines  usually  6 ;  a  line  from  posterior  end  of  maxillary 
at  right  angles  to  margin  of  upper  jaw  passes  in  front  of  dorsal 
fin.  annularis,  308 

aa.  Dorsal  spines  usually  7  or  8;  a  line  from  posterior  end  of 
maxillary  at  right  angles  to  margin  of  upper  jaw  passes 
through  dorsal  fin.  sparoides,  308 


308     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Pomoxis  annularis  Rafinesque.     CRAPPIE. 

Head  2.8  to  2.9;  depth  2.2  to  2.6;  D.  vi,  15;  A.  vi,  17  to  19;  scales 
43  to  48. 

Body  much  compressed,  somewhat  elongate ;  profile  concave  above 
eyes;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  past  middle  of  orbit,  its  length  2.1 
to  2.3  in  head;  eye  4.5  to  5.0;  snout  3.2  to  4.2 ;  origin  of  dorsal  to  tip 
of  snout  1.7  to  1.9  in  body;  pectorals  1.3  to  1.7  in  head;  lateral  line 
present. 

Color  silvery  mottled  with  dark-green  above,  becoming  silvery 
below;  anal  fin  with  few  markings. 

Length  12  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  New  York, 
Alabama,  and  Texas. 

Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby, 
Indiana;  Lagoon,  Buffington,  Indiana. 

Pomoxis  sparoides  (Lace"pede).     CALICO  BASS. 

Head  2.8  to  3.0;  depth  2.1  to  2.4;  D.  vn  or  vm,  15;  A.  vi,  16  to 
18;  scales  38  to  44. 

Body  much  compressed,  moderately  elongate;  profile  concave  above 
eyes;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  orbit,  its  length 


FIG.  60.    CALICO  BASS. 

Pomoxis  sparoides  (Lac.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

2.1  to  2.5  in  head;  eye  4.0  to  4.5;  snout  3.7  to  4.3;  origin  of  dorsal 
from  tip  of  snout  1.8  to  2.0  in  body;  pectorals  1.4  to  2.1  in  head; 
lateral  line  present. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      309 

Color  olivaceous  above,  silvery  or  yellowish  below;  body  spotted 
or  mottled  with  dark  greenish  or  blackish;  anal  fin  much  mottled 
with  darker. 

Length  12  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  coastwise  streams  from  New  Jersey  to  Texas 
and  the  Great  Lakes. 

Lagoon,  Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Calumet  Lake,  Pullman, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby, 
Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark,  Indiana. 


Genus  Ambloplites  Rafinesque. 

ROCK  BASS. 

Body  oblong,  compressed;  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  large, 
its  gape  extending  to  pupil;  maxillary  with  well  developed  supple- 
mental bone;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  tongue,  and  pterygoids; 
opercle  ending  in  2  flat  points ;  preopercle  serrate  at  its  angle ;  anal 
spines  usually  5 ;  branchiostegals  6  rarely  7  ;  caudal  fin  slightly  forked. 

Ambloplites     rupestris     (Rafinesque).       ROCK  BASS;    GOGGLE-EYE; 

RED-EYE. 

Head  2.6  to  2.8;  depth  2.2  to  2.5;  D.  xi  or  xn,  10  to  12 ;  A.  vi,  10 
or  ii ;  scales  39  to  43. 

Body  oblong,  compressed;  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  large, 
maxillary  reaching  to  middle  of  pupil,  its  length  2.1  to  2.4  in  head; 
eYe  3-5  to  4.0:  snout  3.4  to  4.1;  pectorals  reaching  first  anal  spine, 
1.8  to  2.0  in  head;  opercle  ending  in  2  flat  points. 

Color  olivaceous  with  black  mottlings  and  brassy  reflections ;  each 
scale  on  sides  with  black  squarish  spot,  these  forming  broken  lines 
along  the  rows  of  scales;  median  fins  with  brown  mottlings  and  faint 
edgings  of  black ;  a  dark  opercular  spot . 

Length  8  to  10  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  clear  water  from  Vermont  to  Manitoba  and 
southward  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Louisiana. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois; Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


3io     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


Genus  Chseiiobryttus  Gill. 

WARMOUTH. 

Body  compressed,  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  large,  its  gape 
extending  to  or  beyond  pupil ;  maxillary  with  well  developed  supple- 
mental bone;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  tongue,  and  ptery- 
goids;  opercle  rounded;  the  membranous  portion  narrow;  pre- 
opercle  entire ;  anal  spines  3 ;  branchiostegals  6 ;  caudal  fin  slightly 
forked. 

Chasnobryttus  gulosus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes).     WARMOUTH. 

Head  2.4  to  2.6;  depth  2.0  to  2.6;  D.  x,  9  or  10;  A.  in,  8  to  10; 
scales  39  to  43. 

Body  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  large,  the 
maxillary  reaching  pupil,  its  length  2.2  to  2.4  in  head;  eye  4.0  to  5.0; 
snout  3.3  to  4.4;  membranous  opercular  flap  narrow;  anal  fin  short, 
its  base  2  in  base  of  dorsal;  longest  dorsal  spine  3.5  to  4.0  in  head; 


• 


FIG  61.    WARMOUTH. 

Chaenobryttus  gulosus  (C.  and  V.)     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

cheeks  with  6  to  8  rows  of  scales;  pectorals  not  reaching  anal,  1.5  to 
1.8  in  head;  caudal  fin  lunate  or  very  slightly  -forked ;  lateral  line 
complete. 

Color  olivaceous  to  grayish,  mottled  and  sometimes  barred  with 
bluish  black;  sides  with  golden  reflections;  belly  and  breast  yellowish ; 
three  or  four  dusky  streaks  radiating  from  eye;  vertical  fins  mottled 
with  dusky;  a  black  opercular  spot. 

Length  6  to  8  inches. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      311 

This  species  inhabits  sluggish  waters  from  the  Great  Lakes  to 
North  Carolina  and  Texas. 

Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Fox  River,  Bervvyn,  Illinois; 
Chicago  River,  Edgebrook,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


Genus  Lepomis  Rafinesque. 
THE  TRUE  SUNFISHES. 

Body  deep,  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  small, 
its  gape  not  reaching  pupil ;  maxillary  with  small  supplemental  bone 
or  none;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  usually  on  palatines,  none  on 
tongue  or  pterygoids;  opercle  rounded,  ending  in  a  bony  or  osseo- 
membranous  process  or  flap ;  preopercle  entire ;  anal  spines  3 ; 
caudal  fin  emarginate. 

a.  Moderately  large;   supplemental  bone  present;   black  spot  on 
opercle  on  its  stiff  bony  portion. 

b.  Maxillary  about  2.3  in  head;    cheeks  with  wavy  bluishgreen 
lines.  .  cyanellus,     311 

bb.  Maxillary  about  2.7  in  head;  cheeks  without  wavy  bluishgreen 
lines.  euryorus,  312 

aa.  Mouth  small;  supplemental  bone  very  small  or  wanting;  black 
spot  of  opercle  on  its  thin  flexible  portion. 

c.  Gill  rakers  short  and  weak,  their  length  about   6   in  eye;  no 
black  spot  on  base  of  last  rays  of  dorsal  fin.  megalotis,     313 

cc.  Gill  rakers  longer,  their  length  about  3  in  eye;  a  black  blotch 
at  base  of  last  dorsal  rays.  incisor,  313 

Lepomis    cyanellus    Rafinesque.     GREEN    SUNFISH;    BLUE-SPOTTED 

SUNFISH. 

Head  2.4  to  3.0;   depth  2.1  to  2.5;   D.  ix  or  x,  10  to  12;   A.  in, 

9  or  10 ;    scales  45  to  49. 

Body  elongate,  robust,  moderately  compressed;  mouth  moderate, 
maxillary  reaching  to  about  middle  of  orbit ;  supplemental  bone  well 
developed;  maxillary  2.0  to  2.5  in  head;  lower  jaw  the  longer;  eye 
3.8  to  5.2  in  head;  snout  3.3  to  4.0;  teeth  present  on  vomer  and  pal- 
atines; flexible  margin  of  opercular  flap  fleshy,  broader  behind  and 
below  than  above;  spinous  dorsal  low,  its  spines  3.0  to  4.2  in  head; 
pectorals  short,  rounded,  1.5  to  1.7  in  head;  scales  on  cheeks  in  7  to 

10  rows;  caudal  fin  emarginate;  gill  rakers  long  and  stiff,  the  longest 
2  in  eye. 


312     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Color  olivaceous  to  greenish;  each  scale  with  a  green  spot,  these 
forming  lateral  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales;  sides  with  7  or  8 
dusky  bars ;  3  or  4  wavy  lines  of  bluishgreen  on  cheek  below  eye ;  2  or  3 
of  them  continued  backward  across  opercle;  bony  portion  of  opercular 
flap  dark-green  or  black;  the  membranous  portion  coppery  to  pur- 
plish ;  fins  all  dusky ;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  with  large  black  blotch  at 
base  of  last  rays. 

Length  from  4  to  7  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  still  and  sluggish  waters  from  the  Great  Lake 
Region  to  Ohio  and  the  Rio  Grande  Basin. 

Fox  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Chicago  River,  Edgebrook,  Illinois; 
Butterfield  Creek,  Elliotts  Park,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Liberty- 
ville,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois;  Thorn  Creek,  Thornton, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Lake  George,  Indiana; 
Lagoon,  Buffington,  Indiana. 

Lepomis  euryorus  McKay.      MCKAY'S  SUNFISH. 

Head  2.6  to  2.9;    depth  2.0  to  2.3;    D.  x,  nor  12;  A.  in,  9  or  10 
scales  43  to  45. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  mouth  moderate,  max- 
illary reaching  front  of  orbit;  supplemental  maxillary  developed; 
maxillary  2.6  to  2.9  in  head;  jaws  about  equal;  eye  3.8  to  4.3  in  head; 
snout  3.7  to  4.2;  teeth  present  on  vomer  and  palatines;  opercle 
produced  backward,  sharply  rounded  posteriorly,  the  fleshy  margin 
wide;  gill  rakers  well  developed,  the  longest  3  in  diameter  of  eye; 


FIG.  62.    MCKAY'S  SUNFISH. 

Lepomis  euryorus  McKay.     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      313 

dorsal  spines  low,  2.2  to  2.7  in  head;  pectorals  short,  1.3  to  1.4  in 
head ;  scales  on  cheeks  in  6  to  8  rows. 

Color  dusky  olive  mottled  with  darker ;  fin  membranes  dusky  with 
darker  markings  near  base;  opercular  spot  black,  the  margin  paler, 
with  some  red  or  coppery  color.  In  general  appearance  this  species 
resembles  the  pumpkin-seed,  E.  gibbosus. 

Length  6  to  8  inches. 

This  rare  fish  ranges  from  southern  Minnesota  to  northern 
Indiana. 

Lepomis  megalotis   (Rafinesque).     LONG-EARED  SUNFISH. 

Head  2.8  to  3.3;  depth  1.8  to  2.3;  D.  x,  n;  A.  in,  8  to  10; 
scales  37  to  39. 

Body  short  and  deep,  compressed;  dorsal  region  much  elevated; 
mouth  rather  small ;  maxillary  reaching  orbit ;  no  supplemental  bone ; 
maxillary  2.4  to  2.7  in  head;  jaws  equal;  no  teeth  on  palatines;  eye 
3.0  to  4.0  in  head;  snout  2.5  to  3.2;  opercular  flap  short  in  young, 
to  very  long  in  adults;  usually  broadened  behind,  with  or  without 
pale  margin;  gill  rakers  short,  longest  about  6  in  diameter  of  eye; 
pectoral  fins  short,  i.o  to  1.2  in  head;  scales  on  cheeks  in  about  5 
rows. 

Color  light  to  dark-olive;  sides  irregularly  spotted  with  orange; 
cheeks  with  wavy  streaks,  opercular  flap  entirely  black  or  with  nar- 
row pale  margin. 

Length  3%  to  4  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  South  Carolina  and  the  Rio 
Grande. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Lake  George,  Indiana. 

Lepomis  incisor  (Cuvier&  Valenciennes).    BLUEGILL;  BLUE  SUNFISH. 

Head  2.9  to  3.4;  depth  1.9  to  2.2;  D.  x.  10  to  12;  A.  in,  10  to 
12;  scales  38  to  48. 

Body  short,  compressed,  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  small, 
maxillary  scarcely  reaching  orbit;  no  developed  supplemental  bone; 
maxillary  2.9  to  3.3  in  head;  jaws  equal;  eye  2.9  to  3.9  in  head;  snout 
3.0  to  3.5;  no  teeth  on  palatines;  opercle  prolonged  backward  in 
adults;  its  membranous  margin  narrow  or  wanting;  spinous  dorsal 
high,  the  longest  spine  1.3  to  2.4  in  head;  pectorals  long,  pointed, 
about  equal  to  length  of  head ;  scales  on  cheeks  in  5  rows. 

Color  olivaceous  above  to  yellowish  below;  sides  with  about  6 
vertical  bars,  becoming  inconspicuous  in  adults ;  opercular  flap  black, 


314     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  63.    BLUEGILL;  BLUE  SUNFISH. 

Lepomis  incisor  (C.  and  V.)      (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

without  pale  margin;  dorsal  with  a  black  blotch  on  base  of  its  last 
rays. 

Length  5  to  8  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  Florida  and  Mexico. 

Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Bull  Creek,  Beach,  Illinois;  Lagoon, 
Jackson  Park,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Chicago,  Illinois; 
Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Chicago  River,  Edgebrook, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana; 
Lake  George,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Bufnngton,  Indiana;  Calumet  River, 
Clark,  Indiana;  Deep  River,  Liverpool,  Indiana. 


Genus  Eupomotis  Gill  and  Jordan. 
PUMPKIN-SEED  SUNFISH. 

Body  short,  compressed;  mouth  small;  no  supplemental  maxil- 
lary; lower  pharyngeals  deep  and  broad,  the  teeth  bluntly  rounded 
or  paved;  gill  rakers  short;  fins  long;  a  red  roundish  spot  on  lower 
posterior  angle  of  opercle. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      315 

Eupomotis  gibbosus  (Linnaeus).  PUMPKIN-SEED;  RED-EARED  SUN- 
FISH. 

Head  2.8  to  3.2;  depth  2.0  to  2.5;  D.  x,  n  or  12;  A.  in,  10  or 
ii ;  scales  35  to  40. 

Body  short,  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  small, 
maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit,  its  length  2.6  to  3.3  in  head;  no 
supplemental  bone;  eye  3.5  to  4.2  in  head;  about  equal  to  length  of 
the  snout;  opercle  with  bony  portion  distinct  from  the  broad,  paler, 
fleshy  portion;  gill  rakers  short  and  soft;  pectorals  rather  long,  i.o 
to  i.i  in  head;  4  or  5  rows  of  scales  on  cheeks. 

Color  olivaceous  to  greenish;  sides  with  yellowish  or  copper-col- 
ored roundish  blotches;  cheeks  and  opercles  crossed  by  4  or  5  wavy 
lines;  opercular  flap  black  with  a  roundish  red  or  orange  spot  on 
lower  posterior  angle;  dorsal  fin  irregularly  barred  with  brownish 
to  orange  blotches. 

Length  5  to  8  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  the  Atlantic  Coast 
streams  and  northern  Mississippi  Valley. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Des 
Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Calumet  Lake,  Pullman,  Illinois; 
Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake  George,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan 
and  Calumet  River,  Millers,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Buffington,  Indiana; 
Lake  Michigan  and  Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark, 
Indiana. 

Genus  Micropterus  Lacepede. 
BLACK  BASS. 

Body  elongate,  the  dorsal  region  not  much  developed;  mouth  very 
large;  maxillary  with  well  developed  supplemental  maxillary;  pre- 
opercle  entire;  opercle  emarginate  behind,  ending  in  2  flat  points; 
teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  tongue  usually  without  teeth; 
spinous  and  soft  dorsals  divided  by  a  deep  notch ;  anal  spines  3. 

a.     Mouth    moderate,   the    maxillary   scarcely  reaching  posterior 

margin  of  orbit;    10  to  12  rows  of  scales  between  lateral  line 

and  dorsal  fin.  dolomieu,     316 

aa.  Mouth  larger,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  posterior  margin  of 

orbit;   8  to  9  rows  of  scales  between  lateral  line  and  dorsal  fin. 

salmoides,     316 


316     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Micropterus  dolomieu  Lacepede.     SMALL-MOUTHED  BLACK  BASS. 

Head  2.9  to  3.7;  depth  2.9  to  3.1;  D.  x,  13  to  15;  A.  in,  10  to 
12;  scales  66  to  78. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed,  mouth  large,  the  max- 
illary not  reaching  posterior  margin  of  orbit;  its  length  2.1  to  2.5; 
supplemental  maxillary  developed;  eye  5.4  to  6.9  in  head;  snout  3.0 
to  3-3'.  gill  rakers  long,  spinous,  dorsal  low,  its  last  spines  much 
shorter  than  the  longest  ones;  pectorals  short,  1.9  to  2.1  in  head;  lat- 
eral line  complete;  scales  on  cheeks  in  17  rows;  10  to  12  rows  of  scales 
between  dorsal  fin  and  lateral  line. 

Color  green  to  nearly  black,  with  faint  vermiculations  above  lat- 
eral line  and  indistinct  dark  bars  below  it. 

Length  12  to  15  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  clear  streams  and  colder  lakes  from  the 
Great  Lake  Region  to  Vermont,  South  Carolina,  and  Arkansas. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Micropterus  salmoides  (Lacepede).     LARGE-MOUTHED  BLACK  BASS. 

Head  2.8  to  2.9;  depth  2.9  to  3.2;  D.  x,  12  to  13;  A.  in,  10  to 
12;  scales  62  to  68. 

Body  elongate,  not  much  compressed ;  dorsal  region  little  elevated ; 
mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  posterior  margin  of  orbit, 
its  length  1.9  to  2.1  in  head;  supplemental  bone  well  developed;  eye 
5.8  to  7.6  in  head;  snout  3.1  to  3.9;  gill  rakers  long;  spinous  dorsal 
low,  its  last  rays  much  shorter  than  longest  ones;  pectorals  short 
2.0  to  2.4  in  head;  lateral  line  complete;  scales  on  cheeks  in  9  or  ib 
rows;  8  to  9  rows  of  scales  between  dorsal  fin  and  lateral  line. 

Color  dark-green,  obscurely  mottled  with  dark  blotches;  a  dark 
lateral  band,  most  conspicuous  in  smaller  individuals. 


FIG.  64.    LARGE-MOUTHED  BLACK  BASS. 

Micropterus  salmoides  (Lac.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      317 

Length  15  to  18  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  from  the  Great 
Lake  Region  to  Florida  and  northeastern  Mexico. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Dead  River,  Beach,  Illinois;  Des 
Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lagoon, 
Buffington,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Pine,  Indiana;  Deep  River,  Liverpool, 
Indiana. 


Family  Percidse. 
THE  PERCHES  AND  DARTERS. 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  terete  or  compressed,  covered  more  or 
less  completely  with  rather  small  ctenoid  scales;  mouth  large  or  small, 
terminal  or  inferior;  teeth  usually  villiform  in  bands  on  jaws,  occa- 
sionally with  few  canine-like  teeth;  vomer  and  palatines  usually 
with  teeth;  pseudo-branchiae  small,  glandular  or  concealed;  opercle 
usually  ending  in  a  single  flat  spine;  preopercle  entire  or  serrate; 
dorsal  fins  2,  the  first  of  6  to  15  spines;  gill  rakers  slender,  toothed; 
gill  membranes  separate  or  joined,  not  connected  with  the  isthmus; 
lower  pharyngeals  separate,  with  sharp  teeth;  pyloric  caeca  few;  anal 
papillae  usually  more  or  less  developed;  air  bladder  small  and  ad- 
herent, often  wanting. 

a.  Preopercle  distinctly  serrate  below  and  behind  angle;  pseudo- 
branchiae  well  developed;  branchiostegals  7;    no  anal  papillae, 
fishes  of  large  size. 

b.  Canine  teeth  on  jaws  and  palatines;   body  subterte. 

Stizostedion,     318 

bb.  No  canine  teeth  present ;  body  compressed.  Perca,     320 

aa.  Preopercle  entire  or  nearly  so ;  pseudo  branchiae  small  or  want- 
ing; anal  papillae  usually  present;  fishes  less  than  6  to  9  inches 
in  length. 

c.  Cranium  broad  between  the  eyes;  interorbital  space  4.0  to  4.7 
in    head;    snout    long,    pig-like,    and    projecting    beyond    the 
inferior  mouth ;  gill  membranes  separate.  Percina,     320 

cc.  Cranium  narrow  between  the  eyes;  interorbital  space  nar- 
rower 5  to  9  in  head;  snout  pointed  or  blunt,  projecting  very 
little  or  none  beyond  the  terminal  or  nearly  terminal  mouth. 

d.  Median  line  of  belly  with  enlarged  scales  or  plates,  these  falling 
off  leaving  a  naked  strip;    separation  of  ventrals  equal  to  or 
greater  than  their  width  at  base. 

e.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile.  H adropterus ,     321 


318     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

ee.   Premaxillaries  protractile.  Cottogaster,     322 

dd.  Median  line  of  belly  with  ordinary  scales,  or  the  entire  ventral 

surface  naked,  never  with  large  scales  or  plates;  separation  of 

ventrals  less  than  their  width  at  base. 

f.  Maxillary  adnate  to  the  preorbital;    premaxillary  protractile 
downward;  mouth  small,  overhung  slightly  by  the  blunt  snout. 

Diplesion,     323 
ff.    Maxillary  free  from  the  preorbital. 

g.  Premaxillaries  protractile. 

h.     Body  covered  with  scales;    snout  blunt  or  bluntish. 

Boleosoma,     324 

hh.  Dorsal  and  ventral  regions  with  few  or  no  scales;  snout  pointed. 

Ammocrypta,     326 
gg.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile, 
i.      Lateral  line  more  or  less  developed;  scales  small,  more  than  40 

in  lateral  series. 

j.      Lateral  line  straight.  Etheostoma,     327 

jj.    Lateral  line  arched  anteriorly.  Boleichthys,     330 

ii.     Lateral  line  entirely  wanting;   scales  larger,  less  than    40  in 

lateral  series.  Microperca,     331 


Genus  Stizostedioii  Rafmesque. 
PIKE-PERCHES. 

Body  elongate,  fusiform;  back  broad;  head  large  with  pointed 
snout;  preopercle  with  antrorse  serrae;  opercle  with  one  or  more 
spines;  teeth  on  jaws  and  on  palatines  in  villiform  bands,  a  few  en- 
larged and  canine-like;  pseudobranchiae  well  developed;  pyloric 
coeca  3  to  8 ;  caudal  fin  lunate. 

a.     Spinous  dorsal  with  2  or  3  rows  of  large  black  spots;  pyloric 
cceca  5  to  8,  unequal,  the  longest  shorter  than  the  stomach. 

canadense,     318 

aa.  Spinous  dorsal  with  a  single  large  black   spot  on   last  two 
membranes;  pyloric  cceca  3,  subequal  and  as  long  as  stomach. 

vitreum,     319 

Stizostedion  canadense.  (Smith)  SAUCER;  SAND  PIKE;  GRAY  PIKE. 

Head  3.4  to  3.6;  depth  5.2  to  5.5;  D.  x  to  xm — 17  to  19;  A.  n, 
ii  or  12;  scales  85  to  91. 

Body  elongate,  slightly  compressed;  head  large,  depressed;  in- 
terorbital  space  flat;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  pupil; 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      319 

snout  long,  depressed,  3.2  to  3.7  in  head;  diameter  of  eye  4.6  to  5.1 ; 
upper  jaw  the  longer;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  separate;  cheeks  fully 
scaled;  lateral  line  usually  complete;  pyloric  coeca  5  to  8;  shorter 
than  stomach. 

Color  olive-gray  mottled  with  darker;  spinous  dorsal  with  2  or  3 
rows  of  round  black  spots;  no  large  black  blotch  on  posterior  mem- 
branes; soft  dorsal  with  4  or  5  irregular  rows  of  rather  indistinct 
dusky  blotches;  a  large  black  blotch  at  base  of  pectorals;  caudal 
yellowish,  barred  with  dusky. 

Length  i  to  iK  feet- 

This  fish  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  from  the  Assiniboin 
River,  through  the  Great  Lake  Region  to  Tennessee  and  Arkansas. 

Stizostedion  vitreum   (Mitchill).     WALL-EYED  PIKE;  JACK  SALMON; 

PIKE. 

Head  3.2  to  3.5;  depth  4.3  to  5.2;  D.  xn  or  xiv— 19  to  22;  A.  n, 
12  to  14;  scales  80  to  89. 

Body  slender,  slightly  compressed;  head  pointed,  profile  long 
and  straight;  interorbital  space  flat;  mouth  large,  terminal,  the  max- 
illary reaching  past  pupil;  snout  3.3  to  3.8  in  head;  diameter  of  eye 
4.6  to  6.0;  upper  jaw  slightly  the  longer;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals 
separated;  cheeks  usually  sparsely  scaled;  lateral  line  usually  com- 
plete; pyloric  cceca  3,  about  as  long  as  stomach. 


FIG.  65.    WALL-EYED  PIKE;  JACK  SALMON. 

Stizostedion  vitreum  (Mitch.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  olive-buff  to  yellowish,  everywhere  mottled  with  black; 
sides  with  5  large  irregularly-shaped  cross-blotches  with  smaller 
blotches  between;  spinous  dorsal  with  a  narrow  black  margin  and 
with  a  dark  spot  on  its  last  2  membranes;  soft  dorsal  indistinctly 
barred. 

Length  3  feet. 

This  species  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  Hudson  Bay,  Maryland, 
and  Oklahoma. 


320     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Genus  Perca  (Artedi).     Linnaeus. 

YELLOW  PERCH. 

Body  elongate,  considerably  compressed;  head  large;  mouth 
moderate;  premaxillary  protractile;  preopercle  serrate;  opercle 
with  a  single  spine;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws;  vonier  and 
palatines;  no  canines;  pseudobranchiae  small;  pyloric  coeca  3  to  7. 

Perca  flavescens   (Mitchill).     YELLOW  PERCH. 

Head  3.0  to  3.5;  depth  3.3  to  3.8;  D.  xn  to  xiv — n  or  in,  12  or 
13;  A.  n,  7  or  8;  scales  57  to  62. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  head  large,  pointed; 
interorbital  space  nearly  flat;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching 
middle  of  orbit;  snout  pointed  3.4  to  3.7  in  head;  diameter  of  eye 
3.6  to  4.8;  preopercle  strongly  serrate;  opercle  ending  in  several 
points;  spinous  and  soft  dorsal  separate;  cheeks  scaled  in  about  8 
to  10  rows;  gill  rakers  x+i5;  pyloric  coeca  3;  lateral  line  complete 
or  nearly  so. 

Color  brassy  green  to  golden  yellow;  sides  with  7  dark  or  dusky 
bars;  spinous  dorsal  gray,  usually  with  a  black  spot  on  last  2  mem- 
branes; soft  dorsal  and  caudal  pale-green. 

Length  i  foot. 

This  fish  ranges  from  North  Dakota  to  Nova  Scotia,  New  York, 
and  Iowa. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois; 
Calumet  Lake,  Pullman,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illi- 
nois; Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan  and  Lagoons, 
Millers,  Indiana;  Lagoon,  Buffington,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan  and 
Lagoons,  Pine,  Indiana;  Calumet  River,  Clark,  Indiana;  Lake  Mich- 
igan and  Lagoons,  Edgemoor,  Indiana. 


Genus  Perciiia  Haldeman. 

Body  elongate,  scarcely  compressed;  premaxillary  not  protrac- 
tile ;  teeth  on  vomer  and  palatines ;  mouth  small  and  inferior ;  pyloric 
cceca  6;  ventral  surface  with  a  row  of  enlarged  scale-like  caducous 
plates. 

Percina  caprodes  (Rafinesque).     LOG-PERCH. 

Head  3.6  to  4.8;  depth  5.4  to  7.0;  D.  xn-i5;  A.  n,  roor  n;  scales 
83  to  93. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      321 

Body  elongate,  cylindrical;  head  long  and  pointed;  interorbital 
area  flat  or  slightly  concave;  mouth  small,  overhung  by  the  pig-like 
snout ;  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  to  posterior  nostril ;  cleft  of  mouth 
3.4  to  4.0  in  head;  snout  long,  conical,  2.8  to  3.3  in  head;  eye  high  on 
head,  3.6  to  4.2  in  head;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  very  little  separated; 


FIG.  66.    LOG  PERCH. 

Percina  caprodes  (Raf.).     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

separation  of  ventrals  about  equal  to  their  width  at  base ;  cheeks  and 
opercles  covered  with  scales;  nape  usually  fully  scaled;  breast  naked. 

Color  olive-buff  to  yellowish;  sides  of  adults  with  30  to  40  dark 
bars,  alternate  ones  are  half  bars,  these  are  usually  absent  in  young; 
a  small  black  caudal  spot;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  barred,  other  fins 
plain. 

Length  4  to  6  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Great  Lake  Drainage  to  Alabama  and 
Texas. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Wolf  Lake,  Roby,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana;  Lake 
Michigan,  Edgemoor,  Indiana. 


Genus  Hadropterus  Agassiz. 
BLACK-SIDED  DARTERS. 

Body  rather  elongate,  slightly  compressed;  premaxillary  not  pro- 
tractile; teeth  on  vomer  and  usually  on  palatines;  mouth  rather 
large,  terminal;  pyloric  cceca  2  to  4;  ventral  surface  with  a  row  of 
enlarged  scales,  caducous  in  some  species,  persistent  in  others;  gill 
membranes  united  to  the  isthmus. 

Hadropterus  aspro  (Cope  and  Jordan).     BLACK-SIDED  DARTER. 

Head  3.8  to  4.0;  depth  5.4  to  6.8;  D.  xm  to  xv — n  to  14;  A.  n, 
8  to  ii ;  scales  50  to  56. 


322     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Body  elongate,  slightly  compressed;  head  pointed;  interorbital 
space  flat,  narrow;  mouth  large,  terminal,  the  maxillary  reaching 
past  front  of  orbit;  cleft  of  mouth  3.0  to  3.4  in  head;  snout  bluntly 
pointed,  3.6  to  4.1  in  head;  eye  3.4  to  4.0;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals 
usually  separate;  separation  of  ventrals  about  equal  to  their  width 
at  base;  gill  membranes  united  to  the  isthmus;  cheeks  and  opercles 


FIG.  67.    BLACK-SIDED  DARTER. 

Hadropterus  aspro  (Cope  and  Jordan).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

covered  with  small  scales;  nape  naked  or  with  embedded  scales; 
breast  naked;  middle  line  of  ventral  surface  with  enlarged  caducous 
plates. 

Color  olivaceous;   back  with  about  8  dark  quadrate  spots;    7  or 
8  large  dark  blotches  along  side  more  or  less  confluent  into  a  lateral 
band;   head  dark-olive  with  a  dark  streak  before  eye  and  one  below; 
it ;  spinous  dorsal  in  males  crossed  by  a  dark  band ;    pectorals  faintly" 
barred. 

Length  3  to  4  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Manitoba  and  the  Great  Lake  Region  to 
Arkansas. 

Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois; 
Flossmore,  Illinois;  Thorn  Creek,  Thornton,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek, 
Lyons,  Illinois. 

Genus  Cottogaster  Putnam. 

Body  rather  robust,  little  compressed;  premaxillary  protractile, 
or  with  a  narrow  frenum;  teeth  on  vomer;  mouth  small,  subter- 
minal;  pyloric  cceca  3,  ventral  surface  naked  or  with  caducous  plates. 

Cottogaster  shumardi   (Girard).     SHUMARD'S  DARTER. 

Head  3.7  to  4.0;  depth  5.2  to  6.9;  D.  ix  to  xi — 13  to  15;  A.  n, 
10  to  12;  scales  50  to  56. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;  head  large,  snout  blunt;  mouth 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      323 

moderate,  the  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit;  cleft  of  mouth  2.9 
to  3.2  in  head;  snout  bluntish,  2.9  to  3.7;  eye  3.2  to  3.5;  spinous  and 
soft  dorsals  very  little  separate  at  base;  separation  of  ventrals 
nearly  equal  to  their  width  at  base ;  gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus ; 
cheek  opercles  and  nape  scaled;  breast  naked ;  ventral  surface  naked. 


FIG.  68.    SHUMARD'S  DARTER 

Cottagaster  shumardi  (Girard).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  brownish  olive,  blotched  and  mottled  with  darker;  sides 
with  1 5  to  1 8  dark  blotches ;  a  faint  dark  band  in  front  of  eye  and  one 
below  it ;  a  black  blotch  on  front  and  one  on  back  of  spinous  dorsal ; 
soft  dorsal  and  caudal  barred. 

Length  2>^  to  3  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  Great  Lakes  through  the  Mississippi 
Valley  to  Arkansas. 


Genus  Diplesion  Rafinesque. 

Body  rather  elongate,  little  compressed;  mouth  small,  its  gape 
nearly  horizontal;  premaxillaries  protractile  downwards;  maxillary 
joined  for  most  of  its  length  to  the  skin  of  the  preorbital;  no  teeth 
on  vomer  or  palatines ;  ventral  surface  covered  with  ordinary  scales ; 
gill  membranes  broadly  connected  across  the  isthmus;  pyloric 
caeca  4. 

Diplesion  blennioides   Rafinesque.     GREEN-SIDED  DARTER. 

Head  4.0  to  4.6;  depth  5.3  to  6.3;  D.  xm  to  xiv — 13  to  14;  A.  n, 
8  or  9;  scales  57  to  64. 

Body  rather  elongate,  slightly  compressed ;  head  short  with  blunt 
snout;  interorbital  space  flat,  narrow;  mouth  small,  its  gape  hori- 
zontal, the  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit;  cleft  of  mouth  3.1  to 
4.0  in  head;  snout  blunt,  slightly  overhanging  the  small  mouth,  3.1 
to  3.7  in  head;  eye  3.1  to  3.6;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  joined  or 


324     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

slightly  separate;  separation  of  ventrals  less  than  their  width  at 
base;  gill  membranes  connected  to  the  isthmus;  cheeks  naked  or 
with  few  more  or  less  embedded  scales;  opercles  and  nape  scaled; 
breast  naked;  ventral  surface  with  ordinary  scales;  lateral  line 
nearly  straight,  completed  or  nearly  so. 


FIG.  69.    GREEN-SIDED  DARTER. 

Diplesion  blennioides  Raf.      (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

Color  olive-green,  sides  with  orange  dots  and  with  5  to  8  double 
dark-green  vertical  bars,  each  pair  forming  a  V-shaped  figure,  these 
sometimes  united  forming  a  wavy  lateral  band ;  spinous  dorsal  orange 
brown  at  base,  blue  above;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  fins  blue-green  with 
some  reddish;  caudal  greenish,  faintly  barred. 

Length  3  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  South  Dakota  to  Lake  Ontario,  Alabama, 
and  Missouri. 

Genus  Boleosoma  DeKay. 
JOHNNY  DARTERS. 

Body  elongate,  subcylindrical ;  mouth  small,  its  gape  horizontal; 
premaxillaries  protractile;  teeth  on  vomer;  ventral  surface  covered 
with  ordinary  scales;  gill  membranes  narrowly  connected;  pyloric 
caeca  3  to  6. 

a.     Lateral  line  complete  or  nearly  so;  cheeks  and  breast  usually 

without  scales;  pyloric  cceca  6.  nigrum,     324 

aa.  Lateral  line  absent  on   posterior  half  of  body;    cheeks   and 

breast  usually  closely  scaled;  pyloric  coeca  3.      camurum,     325 

Boleosoma  nigrum   (Rafinesque).     JOHNNY  DARTER. 

Head  3.5  to  4.2;  depth  4.7  to  6.9;  D.  vm  to  x — 10  to  12;  A.  i, 
6  to  9;  scales  45  to  52. 

Body  elongate,  slender,  subfusiform;  head  short  with  decurved 
snout;  interorbital  space  narrow,  concave;  mouth  small,  its  gape 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      325 

horizontal,  maxillary  reaching  slightly  past  front  of  orbit;  cleft  of 
mouth  2.9  to  3.7  in  head;  snout  blunt,  slightly  overhanging  the  mouth, 
3.3  to  4.2  in  head;  eye  3.2  to  4.0  in  head;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals 
slightly  joined;  separation  of  ventrals  usually  a  little  less  than  their 
width  at  base;  gill  membranes  narrowly  connected;  cheeks  naked 
or  with  trace  of  scales  on  upper  portion ;  breast  usually  naked ;  nape 
scaled  or  not;  lateral  line  complete  or  nearly  so. 

Color  pale-olive  or  straw  color;  back  much  tessellated  with  brown; 
sides  with  numerous  W-shaped  or  quadrate  blotches;  head  speckled 
above,  mostly  black  in  males;  fins  barred. 

Length  2>£  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  the  Assiniboin  to  Colorado  and  eastward. 

Fox  Lake,  Illinois;  Fox  River,  McHenry,  Illinois;  Pettibone 
Creek,  North  Chicago,  Illinois;  Ravine,  Glencoe,  Illinois;  Chicago 
River,  Edgebrook,  Illinois;  Salt  Creek,  Lyons,  Illinois;  Thorn  Creek, 
Thornton,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Alpine,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek, 
Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois;  Wolf  Lake, 
Roby,  Indiana;  Lake  George,  Indiana. 

Boleosoma  camurum  Forbes.     BLUNT-HEADED  DARTER. 

Head  3.9  to  4.3;  depth  6.5  to  7.2;  D.  vin  to  x — 10  or  n'  A.  i,  7 
or  8;  scales  52  to  60. 

Body  elongate,  slender,  somewhat  compressed;  head  short,  nar- 
row, snout  decurved;  interorbital  flat;  mouth  small,  its  gape  hori- 
zontal ;  maxillary  reaching  to  front  of  pupil ;  cleft  of  mouth  3.1  to 


FIG.  70.    BLUNT-HEADED  DARTER. 

Boleosoma  camurum  Forbes.     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

3.8  in  head;  snout  blunt,  3.8  to  4.5  in  head;  eye  3.3  to  4.0;  spinous  and 
soft  dorsals  separated  by  a  distance  about  equal  to  diameter  of  the  eye; 
separation  of  ventrals  less  than  their  width  at  base ;  gill  membranes 
not  broadly  connected;  cheek  opercles  and  breast  fully  scaled;  nape 
with  a  median  naked  strip;  ventral  surface  covered  with  ordinary 
scales;  lateral  line  developed  on  about  half  the  scales;  pyloric  caeca  3. 
Color  much  as  in  the  preceding,  being  less  finely  tessellated  and 


326     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

the  W-shaped  blotches  less  distinct,  dorsals  and  caudal  fins  faintly 
barred. 

Reaching  a  length  of  not  more  than  i^  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Iowa  to  Alabama  and  Texas. 


Genus  Ammocrypta  Jordan. 

Body  slender,  elongate,  fusiform;  mouth  rather  wide,  its  gape 
horizontal;  premaxillaries  protractile;  teeth  on  vomer;  ventral  sur- 
face without  scales;  gill  membranes  somewhat  connected;  pyloric 
caeca  4. 

Ammocrypta  pellucida  (Baird).     SAND  DARTER. 

Head  4.1  to  4.4;  depth  8.2  to  10.1;  D.  ix  to  xi — 9  to  n;  A.  i,  8 
or  9;  scales  67  to  78. 

Body  elongate,  very  slender;  head  with  slightly  decurved  snout; 
interorbital  space  narrow,  concave;  mouth  rather  large,  its  gape 
horizontal,  the  cleft  3.1  to  4.4  in  head;  maxillary  reaching  slightly 


FIG.  71.    SAND  DARTER. 

Ammocyipta  pellucida  (Baird).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

past  front  of  orbit;  snout  slightly  decurved,  pointed,  3.1  to  3.8  in 
head;  eye  3.6  to  4.3;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  widely  separated; 
separation  of  ventrals  less  than  their  width  at  base;  gill  membranes 
somewhat  connected ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaled ;  nape  scaled  or  not; 
throat,  breast,  and  belly  entirely  naked;  all  of  the  scales  more  or  less 
embedded  and  with  slightly  ctenoid  edges,  those  on  body  confined 
to  a  strip  or  band  of  varying  width  on  sides;  lateral  line  usually 
complete. 

Color  white,  translucent;  scales  with  fine  black  dots;  a  series  of 
squarish  olive  or  bluish  blotches  along  the  back,  and  another  along 
each  side. 

Length  2  V2"  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  Ohio  and  Texas. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      327 

Genus  Etlieostoma  Rafinesque. 

Body  robust  or  elongate,  considerably  compressed;  mouth  large 
or  small,  terminal  or  subinferior;  premaxillaries  not  protractile; 
teeth  usually  on  vomer  and  palatines;  ventral  surface  covered  with 
ordinary  scales;  gill  membranes  connected  or  not;  pyloric  caeca  3 
or  4. 

a.  Lateral  line  usually  complete,  pores  occasionally  lacking  on  2 
to  6  scales;   gill  membranes  broadly  connected,      zonale,     327 

aa.  Lateral  line  incomplete,  pores  usually  lacking  on  10  or  more 
scales. 

b.  Gill  membranes  scarcely  connected;  lower  jaw  moderate,  not 
projecting. 

c.  Cheeks  and  opercles  with  scales. 

d.  Body   slender,  little   compressed,  its    depth   5.4  to   6.8;   soft 
dorsal  with  9  to  1 1  rays ;  scales  5  5  to  60  in  lateral  series ;  sides 
without  crossbars.  iawoe,     328 

dd.  Body  compressed,  its  depth  4.8  to  5.4;  soft  dorsal  with  12  to 
13  rays;  scales  49  to  57  in  lateral  series;  sides  with  brown 
crossbars.  Jessies,  328 

cc.  Cheeks  naked,  opercles  with  scales;  body  compressed,  its 
depth  4.7  to  5.0;  soft  dorsal  with  12  to  14  rays;  scales  44  to  51 
in  lateral  series;  sides  with  crossbars,  these  red  and  blue  in 
spring  males.  cceruleum,  329 

bb.  Gill  membranes  broadly  connected;  lower  jaw  strongly  pro- 
jecting, flabellare,  330 

Etheostoma  zonale  (Cope).     BANDED  DARTER. 

Head  4.0  to  4.9;  depth  4.7  to  6.0;  D.  x  or  xi — 10  to  12;  A.  n,  7 
or  8;  scales  46  to  53. 

Body  robust,  little  compressed;  head  short  with  decurved  snout; 
interorbital  space  convex;  mouth  small,  its  gape  horizontal,  its  cleft 


FIG.  72.    BANDED  DARTER. 

Etheostoma  zonale  (Cope).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 


328     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

3.4  to  4.8  in  head;  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  past  front  of  orbit; 
snout  blunt  3.2  to  4.0  in  head;  eye  2.9  to  3.7  in  head;  spinous  and 
soft  dorsals  usually  well  separated  at  base ;  separation  of  ventrals  less 
than  y>,  their  width  at  base;  cheeks,  opercles,  and  nape  fully  scaled; 
breast  usually  scaled;  lateral  line  usually  complete. 

Color  greenish  olive,  dorsal  surface  with  6  dark  bars,  short  and 
somewhat  broken,  these  alternating  with  blotches  of  rusty  red  (in 
life);  belly  greenish  yellow  to  almost  white;  upper  half  of  spinous 
dorsal  except  tip,  orange;  soft  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  barred;  other 
fins  nearly  white. 

Seldom  reaching  a  length  of  2  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Iowa  to  Ohio  and  Louisiana. 

Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Etheostoma  iowae  Jordan  &  Meek. 

Head  3.7  to  4.0;  depth  5.4  to  6.8;  D.  vin  to  xi — 9  ton;  A.  n,  6 
to  8;  scales  55  to  60. 

Body  slender,  little  compressed;  head  rather  large  with  bluntish 
snout;  interorbital  space  narrow,  convex;  mouth  small,  nearly  hor- 
izontal, its  cleft  3.6  to  4.0  in  head;  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  maxillary 
reaching  to  front  of  orbit;  eye  3.3  to  4.4  in  head;  spinous,  and  soft 
dorsal  separated  by  a  space  greater  than  diameter  of  the  eye;  sepa- 
ration of  ventrals  less  than  half  their  width  at  base;  gill  membranes 
scarcely  connected;  cheeks,  opercles,  and  nape  fully  scaled;  breast 
naked;  belly  covered  with  ordinary  scales;  lateral  line  incomplete, 
lacking  on  about  25  scales. 

Color  greenish,  finely  blotched  with  darker;  back  with  9  to  n 
dark-brown  quadrate  spots;  sides  with  n  or  12  narrow  dark  bars, 
those  on  posterior  half  of  body  most  conspicuous  and  meeting  those 
on  opposite  side  on  belly;  soft  dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  with  bars; 
spinous  dorsal  with  row  of  dark  spots  near  base  and  barred  on  upper 
half. 

Length  2  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  the  Assiniboin  to  Indiana. 

Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois. 

Etheostoma  jessias  (Jordan  &  Brayton). 

Head  3.7  to  4.2;  depth  4.8  to  5.4;  D.  x  to  xn — 12  or  13;  A.  n. 
7  or  8;  scales  49  to  57. 

Body  robust,  compressed;  head  large,  tapering  above  and  below 
to  a  bluntly  pointed  tip;  interorbital  space  narrow,  convex;  mouth 
rather  large,  terminal,  oblique;  margin  of  upper  lip  on  level  with  the 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      329 

pupil;  cleft  of  mouth  2.8  to  3.8  in  head;  maxillary  reaching  past  front 
of  orbit;  snout  pointed,  3.5  to  4.3  in  head;  eye  3.3  to  4.0;  spinous 
and  soft  dorsal  scarcely  separate;  separation  of  ventrals  more  than 
y$  their  width  at  base;  gill  membranes  narrowly  connected;  cheeks, 
opercles,  and  nape  closely  scaled;  breast  naked;  belly  covered  with 
ordinary  scales;  lateral  line  with  pores  lacking  on  3  to  15  scales. 

Color  brownish  olive;  back  with  5  or  6  dark  quadrate  blotches; 
sides  with  8  or  9  dark  bars  on  sides,  those  before  anal  fin  obscure; 
spinous  dorsal  tipped  (in  life)  with  pale  blue  or  white,  below  which  is 
a  row  of  orange  red  spots;  base  of  fins  blue;  soft  dorsal  irregularly 
spotted  with  orange;  anal  pale. 

Length  ordinarily  a  little  less  than  2  inches,  occasionally  reaching 
a  length  of  2^  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Iowa  to  Indiana  and  Texas. 

Etheostoma  cceruleum  Storer.     RAINBOW  DARTER;  SOLDIER-FISH. 

Head  3.2  to  4.0;  depth  4.5  to  5.2;  D.  x  or  xi — 12  to  14;  A.  n, 
7  or  8;  scales  44  to  51. 

Body  robust,  compressed;  head  large,  tapering  above  and  below 
to  a  bluntly  pointed  snout;  interorbital  space  flat;  mouth  moderate, 
terminal,  somewhat  oblique,  the  jaws  about  equal;  cleft  of  mouth 
3.0  to  3. 5;  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit;  snout  bluntly  pointed, 
3.2  to  4.1  in  head;  eye  5.8  to  7.2  in  head;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals 
scarcely  separate,  or  slightly  connected;  separation  of  ventrals 


FIG.  73.    RAINBOW  DARTER;  SOLDIER-FISH. 

Etheostoma  cceruleum  Storer.     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

usually  about  ^3  their  width  at  base ;  cheeks  naked;  opercles  scaled; 
nape  scaled  posteriorly;  breast  naked;  belly  covered  with  ordinary 
scales;  lateral  line  incomplete,  usually  absent  on  15  to  20  scales. 

Color  dark-olive,  overlaid  with  dusky  to  bluish  bars  and  blotches; 
back  with  7  or  8  rather  obscure  quadrate  blotches;  sides  with  n  to 
12  dark  bars,  these  most  prominent  on  posterior  third  of  body;  in 


330     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

life  these  bars  in  males,  dark  indigo-blue,  the  inter-spaces  blood- 
orange;  spinous  dorsal  crossed  at  its  middle  by  a  row  of  orange  spots 
or  an  orange  band,  above  and  below  this,  pale  to  deep  indigo-blue 
bands,  at  base  of  fin  a  narrower  band  of  orange  with  orange  red  spots ; 
female  duller  in  color. 

Length  2  inches. 

This  fish  is  a  resident  of  the  Ohio  and  Upper  Mississippi  Valleys. 

Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 

Etheostoma  flabellare  Rafmesque.     FAN-TAILED  DARTER. 

Head  3.6  to  4.2;  depth  4.6  to  4.8;  D.  vn  or  vin— 12  to  14;  A.  11, 
7  or  8;  scales  51  to  63. 

Body  robust,  compressed;  head  long,  slender,  somewhat  depressed 
with  slight  angle  at  nape;  interorbital  space  flat;  mouth  rather 
large,  terminal,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  the  longer;  cleft  of  mouth 
2.9  to  3.3  in  head;  margin  of  upper  lip  on  level  with  upper  third  of 
pupil ;  maxillary  reaching  past  front  of  orbit ;  gill  membranes  broadly 
connected;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  slightly  joined  at  base;  separa- 
tion of  ventrals  about  half  their  width  at  base;  cheeks  and  opercles 
usually  naked ;  nape  naked  or  with  deeply  embedded  scales ;  breast 
naked;  belly  covered  with  ordinary  scales;  lateral  line  incomplete, 
absent  on  15  to  25  scales. 

Color  rather  dark/with  small  dark  spots  and  faint  crossbars ;  each 
scale  with  a  dark  spot,  forming  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales;  a  dark 
streak  across  opercles,  and  through  eye  to  end  of  snout;  males  with 
10  to  12  crossbars,  these  faint  in  the  females;  soft  dorsal,  caudal,  and 
anal  fins  finely  barred;  spinous  dorsal  reddish,  the  spines  in  breeding 
males  with  fleshy  knobs. 

Length  2  to  2%  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Iowa  to  New  York  and  South  Carolina. 

Des  Plaines  River,  Berwyn,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  Marley, 
Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox,  Illinois. 


Genus  Boleichthys  Girard. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed;  mouth  small,  its  gape  nearly 
horizontal;  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  ventral  surface  with 
ordinary  scales;  gill  membranes  scarcely  connected;  lateral  line 
incomplete,  slightly  curved  upward  anteriorly. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      331 

Boleichthys  fusiformis  (Girard).     SPINDLE-SHAPED  DARTER. 

Head  3.5  to  4.1;  depth  5.8  to  7.1;  D.  ix  or  x — 10  to  12;  A.  n, 
6  or  7;  scales  48  to  54. 

Body  elongate,  slightly  compressed;  head  with  bluntly  pointed 
snout;  interorbital  space  narrow,  convex;  mouth  small,  horizontal, 
its  cleft  3.1  to  3.8  in  head;  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  maxillary  reaching 
past  front  of  eye;  snout  blunt,  4.3  to  5.2  in  head;  margin  of  upper 
lip  on  level  with  lower  margin  of  eye;  eye  3.5  to  4.0  in  head;  gill 
membranes  scarcely  connected;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  usually 
separated  by  a  distance  nearly  equal  to  diameter  of  eye;  separation 
of  ventrals  about  half  their  width  at  base;  cheeks  and  opercles  fully 


FIG.  74.    SPINDLE-SHAPED  DARTER. 

Boleichthys  fusiformis  (Girard).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

scaled;  nape  usually  with  scales;  breast  naked  or  nearly  so;  belly 
covered  with  ordinary  scales;  lateral  line  incomplete,  absent  on  25 
or  35  scales. 

Color  olivaceous,  much  dotted  and  blotched  with  brown,  the  dark 
color  in  more  or  less  definite  W  and  X-shaped  markings,  or  in  zigzag 
streaks;  spinous  dorsal  faintly  dusky  near  base ;  soft  dorsal  and  caudal 
faintly  barred;  males  usually  darker,  with  9  or  10  transverse*  bars  in 
breeding  season,  and  with  basal  third  of  membrane  of  spinous  dorsal 
jet-black,  the  fins  edged  with  dusky. 

Length  2  to  -2%  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  Massachusetts  and  the  Rio 
Grande. 

Genus  Microperca  Putnam. 
THE  LEAST  DARTERS. 

Body  robust,  slightly  compressed;  mouth  small,  its  cleft  nearly 
horizontal,  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  ventral  surface  covered 
with  ordinary  scales;  gill  membranes  scarcely  connected. 


332     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

Microperca  punctulata  Putnam.     LEAST  DARTER. 

Head  3.6  to  4.0;   depth  4.6  to  5.2;    D.  vi-g;    A.  n,  5  or  6;   scales 

33  to  36- 

Body  robust,  somewhat  compressed;  head  bluntly  rounded,  in- 
terorbital  space  narrow,  convex;  mouth  subterminal,  its  cleft  slightly 
oblique,  3.5  to  4.0  in  head ;,  maxillary  reaching  to  middle  of  eye; 
snout  bluntish,  4.8  to  5.5  in  head;  eye  3.7  to  4.1;  gill  membranes 
scarcely  connected;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  separated  by  a  space 


FIG.  75.    LEAST  DARTER. 

Microperca  punctulata  Putnam.     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

about  equal  to  pupil ;  separation  of  ventrals  less  than  half  width  of 
their  base;  cheeks,  breast,  and  nape  naked;  opercles  with  few  scales; 
lateral  line  absent. 

Color  olivaceous,  sides  closely  speckled  with  vague  bars  and  zig- 
zag markings;  soft  dorsal  and  caudal  barred. 

Length  i  to  i>£  inches. 

This  fish  ranges  from  Minnesota  to  Michigan  and  Arkansas. 

Hickory  Creek,  Marley,  Illinois;  Hickory  Creek,  New  Lenox. 
Illinois. 


Family  Serranidse. 

THE  SEA  BASSES. 

Body  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed;  head  large,  mouth  large, 
with  conical  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  ventral  fins  thoracic; 
dorsal  fin  with  spinous  and  soft  part  connected  or  not;  preopercle 
usually  more  or  less  serrate;  air  bladder  small;  stomach  ccecal,  with 
few  or  many  pyloric  appendages. 

a.  Spinous  dorsal  separate  from  soft  portion;  sides  with  dark 
lateral  stripes  not  interrupted;  base  of  tongue  with  teeth. 

Roccus,     333 

aa.  Spinous  dorsal  joined  to  soft  portion;  sides  with  dark  lateral 
stripes  broken  on  posterior  half  of  body;  base  of  tongue  tooth- 
less. M  or  one,  333 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      333 

Genus  Roccus  Mitchill. 
STRIPED  BASS. 

Body  deep,  compressed;  mouth  large,  lower  jaw  the  longer;  no 
supplemental  maxillary;  lower  margin  of  preopercles  serrate  or  entire; 
base  of  tongue  with  i  or  2  patches  of  teeth;  dorsal  fins  separate;  anal 
spines  3. 

Roccus  chrysops  (Rafinesque.)     STRIPED  BASS. 

Head  3.1  to  3.4;  depth  2.6  to  2.9;  D.  ix-i,  13  or  14;  A.  in,  n  to 
13;  scales  52  to  57. 

Body  rather  deep,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  head  sub- 
conical;  interorbital  convex,  3.4  to  4.1  in  head;  mouth  terminal  ob- 
lique, maxillary  reaching  middle  of  orbit;  lower  jaw  the  longer;  gill 
rakers  as  long  as  the  gill  filaments;  cheeks  and  opercles  with  10  to  12 
rows  of  scales ;  lateral  line  usually  complete. 

Color  silvery,  tinged  with  golden  below;  sides  with  narrow  dusky 
lines,  about  5  above  lateral  line,  one  coincident  with  it,  and  a  variable 
number  below  it. 

Length  12  to  18  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  the  Great  Lake  Region  and  the  Mississippi 
Vallev  north  of  Arkansas. 


Genus  Moroiie  Mitchill. 

Body  rather  short,  deep,  compressed;  no  supplemental  maxillary; 
lower  margin  of  preopercle  serrate  or  entire;  base  of  tongue  without 
teeth;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  connected  by  a  membrane;  anal 
spines  3 ;  scales  ctenoid. 

Morone  interrupta  Gill.     YELLOW  BASS;  STRIPED  BASS. 

Head  3.0  to  3.2;  depth  2.7  to  2.9;  D.  ix-i,  12;  A.  in,  10;  scales 
5i  to  55. 

Body  deep  and  compressed,  the  back  elevated;  head  subconical, 
pointed,  jaws  about  equal;  interorbital  space  slightly  convex,  4.0  to 
4.7  in  head;  snout  3.1  to  3.7;  mouth  terminal,  the  maxillary  barely 
reaching  to  middle  of  the  orbit ;  gill  rakers  longer  than  the  filaments ; 
snout  3.1  to  3.7;  dorsal  fins  connected;  cheeks  and  opercles  with 
about  12  rows  of  scales;  lateral  line  complete  or  nearly  so. 

Color  olive-buff  to  silvery;  3  dark  lateral  stripes  above  lateral  line, 


334     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


FIG.  76.    YELLOW  BASS;  STRIPED  BASS. 

Morone  interrupta  Gill.     (After  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

one  coincident  with  it  and  3  or  4  below  it ;   stripes  below  lateral  line 
interrupted  on  posterior  part  of  the  body. 

Length  12  to  18  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  Mississippi  Valley. 


Family  Scisenidae. 

THE  DRUMS. 

Body  compressed,  more  or  less  elongate;  scales  thin,  usually 
ctenoid;  head  scaled;  skeleton  osseous;  lateral  line  continuous,  ex- 
tending on  caudal  fin;  gill  membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus; 
premaxillary  protractile ;  anal  spines  i  or  2 ;  ventral  fins  thoracic,  its 
rays  i,  5;  air  bladder  usually  large  and  complicated. 


Genus  Aplodiiiotus  Rafinesque. 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  mouth  low, 
its  gape  horizontal;  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  no  barbels;  preopercle 
slightly  serrate;  lower  pharyngeals  very  large,  fully  united,  with 
coarse,  blunt,  paved  teeth;  dorsal  fins  somswhat  connected,  the 
spinous  dorsal  with  a  scaly  sheath  at  base;  anal  spines  2,  the  second 
very  strong;  caudal  fin  doubly  truncate;  air  bladder  large,  without 
appendages. 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      335 

Aplodinotus      grunniens      Rafinesque.       CRACKER;     FRESH-WATER 

DRUM;    SHEEPSHEAD;    WHITE  PERCH. 

Head  3.3  to  3.6;  depth  2.7  to  3.1;  D.  vin  or  ix — i,  25  to  31;  A. 
ii,  7;  scales  50  to  56. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  elevated;  head  sub- 
conical,  with  blunt  snout;  interorbital  space  slightly  convex,  3.2  to 
3.7  in  head;  snout  3.1  to  3.7  ;  mouth  subinferior,  the  margin  of  upper 
•lip  below  the  eye;  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  the  eye;  lower  jaw 
the  shorter;  gill  rakers  stout  and  shortish;  cheeks  and  opercles 
scaled;  spinous  dorsal  continuous  with  soft  portion;  scales  strongly 
ctenoid;  lateral  line  complete,  much  arched  anteriorly  and  parallel 
with  dorsal  outline. 

Color  plain  silvery  gray  on  sides  and  back,  white  on  belly;  fins 
plain  except  for  smoky  gray  on  membranes. 

Length  2  to  4  feet. 

This  fish  inhabits  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  from  the  Great 
Lake  Region  to  Georgia,  Texas,  and  Yucatan. 

Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana;  Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana; 
Deep  River,  Liverpool,  Indiana. 


Family  Cottidse. 
THE  SCULPINS. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  fusiform;  head  large,  depressed;  body 
without  scales,  usually  with  few  prickles  or  scale-like  plates;  mouth 
broad;  teeth  on  jaws  villiform;  premaxillary  protractile;  gill  mem- 
branes broadly  connected,  often  joined  to  the  isthmus;  dorsal  fins  2, 
slightly  connected ;  ventral  fins  with  one  spine  and  three  or  four  soft 
rays;  pseudo  branchiag  present;  air  bladder  usually  absent;  pyloric 
cceca  -4  to  8 ;  lateral  line  present. 

a.     Ventrals  with  a  concealed  spine  and  4  soft  rays.         Coitus,     335 
aa.  Ventrals  with  a  concealed  spine  and  3  soft  rays.    Uranidea,     337 


Genus  Cottus  (Artedi)  Linnaeus. 
MILLER'S  THUMBS. 

Body  fusiform,  without  scales;  prickles,  when  present,  not  scale- 
like;  head  broad;  mouth  rather  large,  with  villiform  teeth  on  jaws; 
angle  of  preopercle  with  a  spine,  its  tip  curved  upward;  gill  mem- 


336     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 

branes  broadly  connected  with  the  isthmus;    ventrals  with  i   con- 
cealed spine  and  4  soft  rays;   no  slit  behind  fourth  gill. 

a.     Preopercular  spine  short,  its  length  less  than  %  diameter  of 
eye;   caudal  peduncle  slender,  its  depth  1.5  to  2  in  its  length. 

ictalops,     336 

aa.  Preopercular  spine  long,  its  length  more  than  %  diameter  of 
eye;  caudal  peduncle  slender,  its  length  3.3  in  its  length. 

ricei,     336 

Cottus  ictalops  (Rafinesque).     COMMON  SCULPIN;  MILLER'S  THUMB. 

Head  3.0  to  3.5;  depth  3.7  to  4.3;  D.  vm  to  ix,  16  to  18;  A.  13 
to  15. 

Body  fusiform;  head  broad,  convex  above;  interorbital  space 
3.8  to  5.5  in  head;  mouth  wide,  lips  thick;  maxillary  reaching  to 
middle  of  the  orbit;  snout  2.8  to  3.4  in  head;  preopercular  spine 
short,  its  length  less  than  half  diameter  of  the  eye;  spinous  dorsal 


FIG.  77.    COMMON  SCULPIN;  MILLER'S  THUMB. 

Cottus  ictalops  (Raf.).     (From  Forbes  and  Richardson.) 

about  3/8  height  of  soft  dorsal;  body  without  scales,  a  few  prickles 
present  behind  pectorals;  lateral  line  continuous  or  interrupted 
posteriorly. 

Color  olivaceous,  more  or  less  barred  or  blotched  with  darker, 
fins  mostly  barred  or  mottled. 

Length  3  to  7  inches. 

This  fish  inhabits  clear  streams  from  North  Dakota  to  North  Car- 
olina and  Oklahoma. 

Lockport,  Illinois;    Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Cottus  ricei  (Nelson.) 

Head  3.2  to  3.6;  depth  5.3  to  6.2;  D.  vn,  16;  A.  13. 

Body  slender;  head  depressed,  as  wide  as  long;  interorbital  space 
narrow,  8.2  in  head;  mouth  narrow,  the  maxillary  scarcely  reaching 


APRIL,  1910.     FISHES  OF  CHICAGO  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      337 

past  front  of  orbit;  snout  3.6  in  head;  preopercular  spine  long,  its 
length  more  than  half  diameter  of  eye;  spinous  dorsal  abo'ut  */$  height 
of  soft  dorsal;  body  without  scales,  prominent  spinules  behind  pec- 
torals and  on  top  of  head;  lateral  line  continuous. 

Color  brownish  olive,  sides  mottled;  faint  traces  of  two  dusky 
bars  on  caudal  peduncle;  last  membranes  of  second  dorsal  dusky. 

Length  -2%  inches. 

Deep  waters  of  Lake  Michigan. 


Genus  Uraiiidea  DeKay. 

Similar  to  Cottus,  but  with  smaller  preopercular  spines,  and  ven- 
trals  with  one  concealed  spine  and  3  soft  rays. 

Uranidea  kumlienii  Hoy. 

Head  3.1  to  3.4;  depth  5.0  to  5.2 ;   D.  vn  or  vni,  15  to  17;   A.  12. 

Body  fusiform;  head  flattish  above;  interorbital  space  7.5  to  8.6; 
mouth  narrow,  the  maxillary  reaching  to  middle  of  orbit;  snout  3.3 
to  3.6  in  head;  caudal  peduncle  slender,  its  depth  2.2  to  2.4  in  its 
length;  spinous  dorsal  ^  height  of  soft  dorsal;  preopercular  spine 
about  %  diameter  of  eye;  body  without  scales;  prickles  under  pec- 
toral and  on  top  of  head;  lateral  line  present,  usually  interrupted. 

Color  brownish  olive,  faintly  mottled;  spinous  dorsal  with  a 
prominent  dusky  blotch  on  anterior  and  posterior,  2  or  3  membranes ; 
soft  dorsal  dusky  toward  base;  pectorals  reticulated  with  dusky. 

Length  2^  inches. 

This  species  inhabits  the  deeper  waters  of  Lake  Michigan. 


Order  Anacanfhini. 

The  COD  FISHES. 

Skeleton  bony;  anterior  vertebras  simple;  fins  without  spines; 
ventral  fins  jugular,  below  or  in  front  of  the  pectorals;  tail  isocercal; 
pectoral  arch  suspended  from  the  skull ;  no  mesocoracoid ;  air  bladder 
without  open  duct. 


338     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  VII. 


Family 

THE  COD  FISHES. 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  usually  not  much  compressed;  dorsal 
fin  long,  forming  i,  2,  or  3  fins;  ventral  fins  jugular;  caudal  fin  distinct 
or  confluent  with  the  dorsal  and  anal;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth; 
mouth  large;  chin  with  a  barbel;  air  bladder  usually  well  developed. 


Genus  Lota  (Cuvier).Oken 
BURBOTS. 

Body  long  and  low,  compressed  behind,  covered  with  small  em- 
bedded scales;  head  depressed;  anterior  nostrils  each  with  a  small 
barbel;  chin  with  a  long  barbel;  gill  openings  wide,  the  membranes 
free  from  the  isthmus;  jaws  with  broad  bands  of  villiform  teeth;  dor- 
sal fins  2,  the  first  short,  the  second  long  and  similar  to  the  anal;  cau- 
dal fin  rounded,  vertical  fins  scaly. 

Lota  maculosa  (Le  Sueur).       BURBOT;   LING;   EEL-POUT. 

Head  4.7  to  5.0;  depth  5.8  to  7.6;  D.  12  or  13,  70  to  75 ;  A.  65. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly,  the  back  low;  head  broad, 
depressed;  interorbital  space  flat,  3.4  to  3.6  in  head;  mouth  large, 
its  gape  horizontal,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  pupil;  chin  with  a 
single  barbel;  dorsal  fins  2,  the  second  long,  caudal  fins  rounded 
slightly  separated  from  dorsal  and  anal. 

Color  dark-olive,  thickly  marbled,  and  reticulated  with  blackish, 
yellowish  or  dusky  beneath ;  vertical  fins  with  dusky  margins. 

Length  about  2  feet. 

This  species  ranges  from  the  Arctic  Sea  south  to  the  Ohio  River. 

Lake  Michigan,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Lake  Michigan,  Millers,  Indiana; 
Lake  Michigan,  Pine,  Indiana. 


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